Chicks at 5 Weeks

Since we did a photo essay of the chicks when they were brand new, we thought we'd give you an update now at just over five weeks old. 

Here is a White Plymouth Rock.  We have lots of these.  One died at a few days old but the rest are growing well.  They will be our new layers and many will go into freezer this fall.

These Black Astrolorps will also become layers, although it looks some like of these are boys (they'll go to the freezer).  Roosters develop a much more prominent crest, that fleshy thing on the top of their head.

Our two Arucana's have survived these five weeks and are growing well.  These hens lays pale green eggs.

One of the White Silkies died, but the other is looking healthy.  This bantam chicken (means "little") is a pet that my daughter picked out.

The other daughter wanted a White Crested Polish for a pet.  As it's running around, it looks like a chicken with a puff ball where it's head should be.

While were out taking care of the chicks, my three-year old did some petting.

We let the chickens roam out of the coop into their pen today for the first time.  They were pecking excessively, a sign that they are too tight, so  we decided it was time to let them risk fresh air.

On the other side of the fence, our grown birds rested in the shade.  We have two layers of chicken wire to separate them.  If a baby wanders into the big pen, they would peck it to death quickly.  Chickens are kind of mean that way.