It’s been a bit since the last chicken update, and the babies have changed so much! In fact, now that they’re 20 weeks old {tomorrow}, they’re no longer babies. But I still call them “the baby chickens” to differentiate from “the big chickens,” even though everyone is the same size.
It took a little while, but I think everyone has finally settled down and decided it’s okay to be one big, happy flock. Pepper still terrorizes the babies occasionally, but she also chases Penguin from time to time. {Mr says she’s generally a little monster diva}. At some point, they even started sleeping in one box together! After cleaning the boxes one day, I noticed that the original/grey box did not appear to be disturbed much: no feathers {the P class are going through their first molt, and it’s rough} or poop. But there were feathers in the new/yellow box. I was finally able to get visual confirmation of “the bigs” putting themselves to bed in the yellow box one night.
I’m still waiting for the first egg(s) to appear, but we are getting close. Hazel and Happy especially are showing signs of being nearly there: their waddles and combs have started growing and are redder in color. Plus, Pecan has been wing-dancing for them.
And now what you’re patiently waiting for: the chicken pictures!
Heidi stood in the doorway and stared her down the whole time.
She did share during the cold and wet last week: letting Pepper tuck into her feathers.
When scrolling my camera roll, I realized that Happy has been dominating the camera time, but she is also very demanding of cuddles {as you can see}. With the weather finally cooperating, I’m hoping to hang out with the chickies more and get better pictures of everyone. Especially once Pippin’s fresh new feathers come in: I can tell they’re going to be gorgeous.
I will say this bunch of babies is super social {maybe because they spent almost 10 weeks in the house?} and are extremely nosy. They follow me around like a pack of puppies, and are not afraid of much. When I have to move the fence so Mr can mow, they’re standing on my feet “helping.” They are very “helpful,” especially when the job requires no chickens. And chatty! These are the talkingest chickens I’ve ever encountered. I thought the P class were chatty, but these H class ladies are talkers. Grumbly talkers, with strong opinions. It’s adorable.
I can’t wait to see how their feathers finally settle – Speckled Sussex feather coloration is not “set” until after their first grown-up molt, which will be next year. Heidi continues to perplex, since she is definitely not the same as Happy {like she should be}. And now, we wait for eggs.
