We were wily enough this year to get in touch with my favorite chicken breeder well ahead of time to reserve both a Delaware and a Welsummer chick to add to our flock. We very much wanted a Delaware when we started our flock last year (was it really only a year ago?) but they were all snatched up before I could get there. We were despondent. I can understand why they went so quick - they are such pretty little things. A little bribery and lots of cajoling this year has these two chicks set aside for us to pick up in a couple of weeks. It's time to start prepping the brooder again, and I can't wait to get my hands on those fluffy little cuties!
It is a long process to get them to full feather indoors. Last year we had a large plastic tote on the front porch. I put down shavings for bedding, had a little waterer and feeder, and chicken wire and a heat lamp on top. Because we had six chicks in such a small space, I changed the bedding, water and feed every single evening, adding in a little snuggle time with each to get them used to being held.
Looking back, I lost three birds last year - Dorothy to being a roo, Lily to exposure and my darling Nancy to a cocciladosis outbreak. I have learned an immense amount in the last year. Particularly letting life take it's course, and to remember to thank the girls every time I come to collect eggs.
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