My three little balls of fluff are getting bigger, and I am starting to think they need an even bigger space to be. Haven’t decided on coop plans yet. I have looked at many different plans and know that I want the coop and run all together and completely enclosed; however, I am not sure if I need to insulate it. Maybe I should just be on the safe side. I also want a bigger-than-necessary coop and run. I have a feeling the chicken math is going to get the best of me
Personalities
Thelma has grown the biggest so far. She is also quite bossy, and Gracie seems to be trying to establish pecking order. Louise just stays out of their way. I am starting to think Thelma may be a boy. As I understand, though it’s relatively difficult to determine whether a chick is a boy or a girl in silkie chicks until they are older and start crowing or laying an egg. I know next to nothing about raising any kind of birds, so I will just wait and see. Gracie is of a middle size. She is very adventurous and fun. Gracie likes to come and sit on my arm, and any time I have sunflower seeds in my hand, she is the first to come running to get some. As for Louise, she is still pretty small compared to the other two. She keeps her head down and stays out of the way. She is so stinkin’ cute, I love her. Last night I was getting ready to go to bed, and I went over and told them good night, and I saw Thelma and Gracie sleeping on the roost. I look under them, near them, and I say to them Where is Louise and they just turn and look at me and then start to go back to sleep. Now I start to get really concerned, I start frantically looking, and she is standing over by the feeder and quietly shoveling food in. That was such a relief, and then I said Okay, then good night, girls and went to bed.
Well Being
I got up and checked on them this morning, and they are all super tired. Don’t know if they partied all night or what, but they just want to sleep. I see Louise has been pooped on, and I feel like that can’t be comfortable, so I scoop her up and get some warm water and about 5 cotton swabs and put warm water on them and gently rub it off. Every time I get Louise alone I must scare the poop right out of her poor girl. I feel bad I get her all cleaned up and blow dry her so she doesn’t get chilled and she is exhausted I take her back and she sits and recounts her experience to the others and they all decided it must be nap time then.
House Keeping Time
I decided I needed to clean out their cage and thought it would be a good Idea to set them in the bathtub. One by one I pick them up and take them in to the tub. Everything is fine until the last one sitting in the cage is Gracie and she starts squawking so loud. I really am glad I have three and not two since they really like to be together. My daughter sat and watched them while I attended to the cage. I get everything cleaned fresh food and water and some chick grit. Take each one back and now they think it’s party time. They want to kick up all the bedding and basically bath in it and throw their food everywhere. I am so glad I could give them a clean space to make a mess. They seem happy now so all is right with the chickens.
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