Newborn Chicks

The kids and I went out this week and got a 6 piece Chicky nugget - no not the greasy bad for you kind but the farm fresh get to play with your food kind - day old baby chickens!
I really wanted to add some more chickens to our flock but didn't want to order more than a few and although possible the shipping cost usually makes it unreasonable so we decided to keep our eyes open for local chicks. The other day I stopped in to our local Tractor Supply Company and after talking to my usual store attendant I found out that they would be getting in chicks this week! This meant that I would be able to get a couple new birds for the same $ as the hatchery we order from but not have to pay for shipping and the worry of if the chicks survived the trip.

I found out that they arrived last night so the kids and I went out to do errands today and our last stop was to pick out a few new baby chicks to raise. Now the bonus was there is no shipping cost - the down fall is that there is not a large selection of breeds to choose from. To my surprise both breeds offered were "sex links" which means when they are hatched the cocks and pullets are different colors which makes adding pullets/hens to the flock a sure thing - I have come to realize that 1 rooster is more than enough and if he keeps up his antics with Alex it will be 1 to many (hopefully he is just experiencing a little spring fever!)

We decided on the Red Sex Links which are known for their kind disposition and enjoy interacting with humans and they are proficient egg layers which is one of the main reasons we have them. I cleaned and set up the brooder and the chicks have made it through their first day - one has taken a liking to the kids and if she can't see them chirps loudly until either one of the kids peeks over the edge or she falls asleep from exhaustion!
Picture of a mature red sex link hen