The post office called at 6 AM. "You have a box of chicks here." Music to our ears.
Twelve new additions to the Blackberry Hollow flock arrived this morning, chirping away in their ventilated shipping box. The brooder was already warmed up and waiting — fresh pine shavings, clean water with a splash of electrolytes, and the heat lamp set to a cozy 95 degrees.
The New Breeds
This batch includes some old favorites and some firsts for us:
- 4 Buff Orpingtons — The golden retrievers of the chicken world. Friendly, fluffy, and excellent layers.
- 3 Olive Eggers — We are excited to finally get those gorgeous green eggs in our egg basket.
- 3 Barred Rocks — Hardy, reliable, and beautiful with their black-and-white striped feathers.
- 2 Silkies — Okay, these are pure indulgence. They look like tiny cotton balls and have the most ridiculous personalities.
Settling In
By mid-morning all twelve were eating, drinking, and doing that adorable thing where chicks fall asleep standing up and tip over. The existing flock has no idea what is coming in about six weeks when these little ones move to the outdoor brooder.
Integration is always an adventure — we will keep you posted on how the introductions go. For now, we are just enjoying the tiny peeps and the way the whole mudroom smells like warmth and pine shavings.