Buk, buk, anyone home?

This is a 15 day old chick.





This little one also tried out its wings today.

They are getting quite adventurous and definitely developing their own personalities.

They are eating less and less chick crumble as they become more self sufficient foraging in the garden.

Chicks that are raised without a good mother, or no mother at all, remain very reliant on food provided in feeders.

This makes the eggs they eventually produce more costly and they are not as healthy as chooks that graze on a variety of plants and insects.

Aunty Henny Penny went to call on the new chicks today. After a few polite buk buks at the door she was greeted and invited in by the very outgoing pengin impersonator.

Then Daddy Simon dropped by to serve breakfast.

His style is more "one for me, one for you" unlike the mother hen's approach which is to feed all the chicks first then see if there's anything leftover for her.

Many people who have kept chooks for years would be horrified to hear of a rooster being allowed near chicks, but there is nothing to fear with Simon -- he is a gentle, affectionate husband, father & leader. He has never removed a single feather from the back of one of his hens.

I'm undecided what to do with these lovely sons of Simon. The pullets from their hatching has been rehomed. In a few more weeks they will begin to crow so cannot stay here.

They will model themselves on their examplary father.

If anyone is interested in providing a home for them, please contact me via The Chook Chick ads on http://www.chooknet.com.au/