We officially have a little urban homestead now, thanks to the cheeping tropical-climate cardboard box nursery in our garage. Our girls came home on Friday!
This is Sweet Cicely, an Ameraucana chicken. She was the first one we got, up in Ben Lomand. Nia picked her out from about 30 chicks. As we walked to the car, she said worried, "I hope I didn't pick a rooster..." I hope not too! So far, Cicily is the most calm of the three and Nia's favorite.
This is Kiki, our feisty girl. She's the smallest and the most adventurous -- already trying to fly out of the box 4 days old. Very curious about everything, which means she pecks at most anything, including the poke-a-dots on Nia's shirt, which Nia wasn't totally sure about at first. But now she lovingly refers to her as "the youngest" since she's so petite. She won't be small for long though, she's a Plymouth/Barred Rock chicken.
The third in our small brood is Poppy, an Australorp chicken. She's the sleepiest still, often falling asleep standing up with her head slowly sinking down to the floor, or resting in a hand. She loves a peaceful cuddle.
Poppy and Kiki came from the Santa Cruz General Feed and Seed here in town. Nia didn't pick them out specifically, but the man who helped us was so sweet with the chicks: He just held it hand out and who ever jumped into his palm got to come home with us.
Cicely is the oldest -- she hatched on Monday. Poppy and Kiki both hatched on Wednesday. Even though it is only a two-day difference, it is obvious Cicely is more mature -- she has more wing feathers (versus fluff), she's scratching at the feed with her feet more, and she's begun preening (which Kiki tries to help with).
Last night before bed, Nia asked me to read to each of the chickens, so I read And Then It was Spring (which seemed fitting for welcoming chicks, although in our case it was and then it was summer!). I read the book three times, once to each chicken, and put each of them to sleep, and almost conked out my happy little Farm Girl, too.
Oh, the chicken adventures we will have!
