Chickies

Our second batch of chicks arrived Sun. in Elko. Bryan and the girls went over and got them since I was at the horse show. There are 36 baby chicks in this bunch with a variety of about 10 different breeds. This brings are total up to 60 birds. They are so cute at this age; then they grow up. This bunch of birds are the layers. It will be 6 months before they are laying but we are supposed to be getting a wide variety in egg colors and sizes when they start. We are planning on letting a few of the hens hatch their eggs so that we can rotate out the layers as they get older and not have to order them; you know, trying to get into that self-sufficiencey plan.

As you can see there is a variety.

But here is the Odd ball of the bunch. This was the "rare", free bird that they sent. Its called a Turken ( a cross between a Turkey and a chicken?? LOL :) and yes its not supposed to have feathers on its neck. They look like a vulture when they are grown. I do have to correct meyself, most of them are cute when they are little.

Not sure what kind this little one is but its cute.

This one is one of my favorite-its a top-hat. They have a bunch of longer feathers on their head when they are grown-quite funny looking.

Pose for the camera little chickie

Its a bummer that their colors don't stay this way when the feather come in. I think a lot of them would look cuter but that's how it goes with baby animals.

This is one of the many bantams-they have "fuzzy" feet.

No, it doesn't have dirt on its face-

Now its time to face the hard truth--the cuteness doesn't last forever, especially if your a chicken.

Here are the chickens from the first batch that we got.............4 wks ago.

They are huge for their age if you compare them to other chickens.

Here is the "rare" freebie that they sent with this bunch. I always think "roadrunner" when I see it. Its quite aggressive and is learning that it can fly, quite well, unlike its current company-they can hardly get themselves off the ground. I can see why they are prone to leg problems-they're really top-heavy.