Looks Like We Made It!

Check out our brooder!

I am happy to report that all the chicks made it through their first night with us and seem pretty happy.

About four of the birds are pasting up, which is when the bird's vent (a.k.a. pooper) gets clogged up with dried poop. Unfortunately, pasting up can be deadly to a chick. The remedy? Gently removing the dried poop with a wet paper towel. Honestly, it's not as bad as it sounds...Really!

The kids are getting to be pros in spotting "pasty butt."

One word of warning: Some of the chicks still have their umbilical cords attached. This looks like a thin black thread hanging just below their vents. It is not pasting up. The umbilical cord should not be removed and will fall off on its own.

It's Christmas Morning All Over Again

The kids are waaaaay overexcited that the chicks are here. They love the little creatures. Liam, my three year old, keeps saying "Mom, you are the best giver ever." Just melts your heart. I think this day is going to one of those days they remember for a long time to come.

On the down side, the kids are finding it hard to slow down and be gentle. We had a small accident and lost one of the chicks. Charlotte cried and cried for well over an hour. Not sure she bought the whole chick heaven thing, where baby birds are held by five-year-old girls all day long...but she did get over it eventually. All the kids seemed a bit too excited by the prospect of a bird funeral...

One of our chicks seems like it may be pasting up. More on that later.