Chicks Arrive

It was wonderful to have the first chicks arrive. Theses day old little yellow balls of cotton chirp happily all day. The moment I put them into their brooder, they went for the feed and water - a very good sign. I check on them every hour to make sure they are feeding well and that the temperature is warm enough. When chicks are this young, the cold can have a devastating effect on their health.

After the first 8 hours I was comfortable they had settled in and the heating was doing its job. Now I check on them four times a day to make sure they have plenty of feed and water.

These chicks will grow at an amazing rate ... but for day one, 48 grams will have to do.