Birds, Birds, and more Birds!

There appears to be another chick in the finch nest! Of course, with them all writhing around, it's hard to be sure.

We also have a Robin's nest. It's on this ledge on our house right under the roof, behind the gutter drain pipe. The mother had been sitting for a long time now. I haven't seen any chicks, but sometimes it appears that the parents are feeding something.

I hope to be able to see the Robin chicks once they are bigger. They are just so small at first that it's hard to see. We had another Robin's nest last year, as some of my readers may recall. ( Robin Chicks! Robin Chick Learns to Fly (video) ).

We also have a Cardinal nest. The mother is so skittish it took me a while to confirm that it was a Cardinal nest, but I snuck up on her the other day.

There are two eggs in the nest and (sadly) one egg lying on the ground. The nest is in the same bush as the Mourning Dove nest last year (Mourning Dove Pics! The Moment You've All Been Waiting For! ), so the nest will be fairly easy to observe, although it's higher up then the doves were.

It will be so fun to watch them grow their feathers.

I'll keep you posted on the three nests.

A trip to the farm

A huge succulent plant.

Inside a Peewee's nest

A wildflower bouquet (sadly, the daylilies are dead).

Can you tell what the tiny creature on my arm is?

Barn swallow chicks inside their nest.

Those were several pictures of the flora and fauna around my grandparent's farm. I also have a video of their dog Stubby (10-year-old "Borgi" dog) eating pancakes (one of his favorite treats and the only 'human' food he ever gets.)

After this video was taken, Stubby buried the pancake that he didn't eat.

Mourning Dove Pics!

I decided to post some pictures after all. By the way, the second chick is named Paradox. (We call the squabs Pippin and Perry for short.) My brother named Perry. I hope you enjoy these pictures!

Pippin and Perry, yet unhatched

Pippin (one day old) with Perry in egg

Another shot of Pippin and unhatched Perry

Pippin (two days old) and Perry (one day old)

Another picture from the same day

Dovey, Pippin (3 days old) and Perry (two days old)

A cute picture taken on the same day

I haven't taken any pictures today, but I will try to.

Robin Chicks!

We have a Robin's nest with four chicks under our deck. I was unable to get pictures of them when they where eggs and very young chicks.

This is a stock photo, but all robin chicks look alike.

At first we could only see tiny beaks. Then we began to see the chicks heads. We saw them slowly growing feathers. One day, the oldest chick, climbed out of the nest and perched on the beam next to the nest. Today there was one other chick out of the nest. My mom was able to get a few pictures of them today.

This is the best chick picture.

It won't be long before the nestlings become fledglings and begin to hop around on the ground.

More Chicks

Since it's getting close to Easter, I'm celebrating by doing a post with pictures of chicks! Also, if you haven't already, watch my "Chicks!" video clip. With this link: Chicks! Video. It's really cute.

You have to handle chicks a lot, or else they could be mean when they grow up.

Chicks have proportionally large feet.

Not all chicks are yellow!

By the next day these chicks will be fluffy!

Chicks need to be with other chicks, so if you buy some, get at least 3 or 4.



 

Pet Chickens?

   Even if you live in a city, you may still be able keep chickens. They make great pets as well as egg layers. Chickens do not cost all that much to maintain, and they are relatively easy to care for. They need only food, water, and a clean coop.
  In some cities chickens are not allowed. In other places you might need to get a permit or pay a fee. Some cities have a limit of chickens you can keep. Do not keep roosters in a city! They are very noisy
and are often illegal. You should not let your chickens "free range" in a non fenced area.                                    
   For a chicken coop that's for small flock you can use a large rabbit hutch or dog house, if you add perches. This is a lot cheaper that buying a chicken coop. You can also build your own.  Chickens will also need to have a safe, covered run, even if your yard is fenced. This will protect your chickens from dogs, cats, and wild animals.
   You will probably want to start with chicks. They will bond to you if you handle them often and they are often much cheaper than adult hens. They are also very cute! Get at least three chicks.

Make sure to get female chicks! Chicks will need to have a brooder. You can use an aquarium or rodent cage. This should be kept indoors, preferably under a light. Handle the chicks often.
  When the chicks become pullets (hens that are not full grown but have some adult feathers and can lay eggs) you can move them out to the coop. Slowly get the pullets used to their new home.
   The care of adult hens consists of gathering eggs, cleaning the coop, refiling the feeders and waterers, and playing with the hens.
   Tame hens like to be held and petted. They can learn to come when you call them.
   Eventully the hens will stop laying. Then you can add young chickens to the flock so you can have layers and still keep pet hens.

Chicks

Pullets

 

 

Hens