That Last Alarm

It's been a sad week, particulary for my Easternmost relatives. My Brother-in-law Allen passed away in the wee hours of the morning. It is my misfortune that I haven't seen Allen since my last trip to Brooklyn back in 1985. But certainly he leaves behind a whole crew who are already missing him something fierce; my sister, his kids, Bea, Kirk, Doris, and their kids, his five grandkids, and many other friends and relatives besides.

I hear Allen was pretty fiesty his last years, but that's no surprise, I suspect. Most fireman are the fiesty type; they don't go willingly off to that last alarm.

Unfocused Chick Chatter

How quickly the bay-bays grow! All but one have already lost their egg tooths. They seem quite at home in their chickarium (large Rubbermaid tub). The tub does not give them the recommended 2 sq/ft per chick - it's a quarter that size. But, I bought two tubs, so at some point there will be two chickariums. Here they are in their current chick dorm.

Note the play ladder - so far one used it to prop herself as she napped
I've gingerly handled the chicks so far, taking them in hand only when they need a bum wash - again, don't even ask. My photography of them is fairly crappy thus far. I need to take them all out for a group portrait some time today. Here's one pigeon-toed chick looking daggers at me for taking her out of her warm dorm. Hum... need to break out the tripod to steady my shots.

They're HERE!

I decided to stay home this week to be on chick call, and am sooo very glad I did. The post office brought my special delivery right to my front door.



"Is this noisy box yours? You have to sign for it. What is this... chickens?"

Yep! And noisy as hell too. Loads of CHEEEPING! And crossing my fingers, I opened the box... FOUR CHICKS alive, alive-o!

My first thought was they look like those fake plush Easter chicks. They have different colors too, which I hadn't expected, but it makes sense they weren't put together with a cookie cutter.

Two are butter yellow, and two are cinnamon tinted - all are adorable
They have plushy-feathered legs and poofs under their chins where their feathery muffs will be.

First up, they were each treated to a bum inspection (don't ask). Then while they screamed, I raced around getting their brooder (pen) ready for them. Next it was time to learn to eat and drink. Talk about easier said than done!

I dipped their bills in to the water and eventually they got the idea and started slurping down their first ever drinks - v. cute. But they had no clue about food! You can't live with me and NOT know how to belt down yer grub, I mean, come on!

We flew all the way from the East Coast, & geez, are our wings tired!
Then I had a brainstorm and used a plastic chop stick, tapping it in their food dish, in a pecking hen sort of rhythem. The chicks bee lined to the food and soon all were wolfing down the chicken scratch. Damn. I'm feeling like Einsteinetta!

So now with the gusto they're attacking their chow with, I'm hoping none of them explode.

Oooo... camera... SHINY!