Chicks

Early Monday morning we got the phone call from the post office. Our box of chicks had arrived. David took Sophia, Nathan and Emma June down in their pj's. We've all been waiting anxiously for them to arrive. We set up our garage as a makeshift barn (complete with Harold the bunny). A few days earlier we bought a small plastic swimming pool, some pet bedding a food tray and waterer. We got our chick starter feed from the IFA Country Store. While David and the kids were gone I ran out to the garage/barn to set everything up. When David got back with the chicks he set up a heat lamp for them. He drilled holes in the side of the pool and wired the light into place.

The chicks were shipped in a small box with holes. They joy we all felt was incredible as we opened the box and set them loose in their new home. To say the chicks are cute would be an understatement. We received 26 heirloom rainbow layers. They are very unique looking.

So far this has been a wonderful experience for us. The kids spend hours with them just watching and holding them. They have very interesting and distinct personalities and do the darnedest things. Like, for example, a chick will be running and stop mid run and fall asleep. They enjoy being held and will even fall asleep in our hands. I think it such a blessing to experience something so simple. Raising chicks is something that was, for every generation before my parents, a typical human experience. We have become so far removed from this wonderful tradition. Nathan says that having these chicks is the best thing that has ever happened to him. For me, it has been very relaxing and even therapeutic. Throughout the day, especially at night when the little people are in bed, I go out and hold the chicks and the bunny. It has brought me a lot of peace and joy.