After a last-minute security measure was added to the top of the chicken yard (to make sure no hawks could swoop down and pluck up my babies!), I finally felt comfortable enough to…..
…..open this door!
At first, they weren’t so sure they were ready for this door to be open. They had to stand around in the doorway and look.
And look.
And talk about it.
Then out they came….
….and came…..
….and came. Look at my big, beautiful six-week-old chickens now!
They are a long way from full-grown and laying eggs, but they are also a long way from those eggs I turned for three weeks in my incubator. (That’s Lucky, our miracle baby, on the far right–the white and black hen.)
This gorgeous chicken was once the tiny baby I helped out of its shell.
They are all so different, and so amazingly beautiful. I love having such a wide mix of colors. I think this pretty one is another rooster.
This is the macho rooster who is learning to crow. He sounds like a hoarse cow. I’d tell him that, but he might get mad. He looks a little temperamental. And speaking of temperamental…..
That crazy Spartacus-the-psycho-chick! I knew the littlest banty, the hen, was too little, so after I let them all out, I scooped her up and put her back. I was hoping Spartacus, my banty rooster, was big enough, but oh no, he slipped through the fence and the chase was on. I put my camera down and had a panic attack while Princess saved the day and captured him in the woods.
He and his banty hen were none too pleased to find themselves back in the chicken house while the rest of the family was outside cavorting.
“Prepare to die.”
It’s a Big World Now!
Jun
10
10
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Carolyn A. says:
I love it when you put “prepare to die” on the pictures of Spartacus. His face actually has that expression. They are so big now! I love them! Thanks for keeping us updated. xxoo
On June 10, 2008 at 5:57 am
Heidi says:
His name SO fits him!! LOL are you feeling a little more relaxed or are you still anxious? 🙂 I was thinking about you yesterday when I was trying to get the house cleaned – it wasnt going well LOL
On June 10, 2008 at 6:03 am
Meghan Rosenstengel says:
I trained my chickens to “coop up”. When I call them, they know there is a tasty treating waiting for them and they come a runnin’.
On June 10, 2008 at 6:07 am
happyathome says:
Oh you are going to have your hands full with him! It is amazing how fast they grow! I have been trying to convince my husband to get chickens, doesn’t look like this year, hopefully next year!
https://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/
On June 10, 2008 at 7:03 am
Kim A. says:
Wow, look at how big they are! Almost all grown up. 🙂
They are in chicken “heaven” now, with their very own courtyard.
-Kim
On June 10, 2008 at 7:11 am
anne says:
Suzanne, How exciting that they now have their “fresh air” new home! It’s lovely and I know they appreciate it!
Good luck with them ! It looks like they are well protected from predators. I love to see them grow.
On June 10, 2008 at 7:16 am
CarolW says:
I can’t believe how much they have grown. They are all quite beautiful….I never thought I could get so emotional over chickens!
On June 10, 2008 at 7:20 am
Tina L says:
Awww, your babies are growing up.
On June 10, 2008 at 7:53 am
Kathryn says:
Look at their expressions! You captured them perfectly. Poor little banty birds do look disappointed. I wouldn’t turn my back on Spartacus for awhile!
On June 10, 2008 at 7:59 am
Ashley says:
So just how do you catch a loose rooster? And I can bet that Spartacus is planning his next big break..
On June 10, 2008 at 8:03 am
Robin G. says:
My goodness! They’re so grown up!
On June 10, 2008 at 8:13 am
Cyndi Lewis says:
They are so beautiful. I can’t believe they got so big, so quick.
On June 10, 2008 at 8:15 am
Beckynsc says:
Actually, I think Spartacus has more of a disappointed look on his face now. He doesn’t look so threatening to me in this pic. It’s probably just a disguise to get me to feel sorry for him. :yes:
Could be my imagination! Whaddaya think?
On June 10, 2008 at 8:19 am
Fannie M Wiggins says:
They are growing so fast. Poor banty hen and Spartacus. No fair that they can’t be outside also. :no: It won’t be very long before they are having as much fun as everyone else. Have a great day and :hug: to all.
On June 10, 2008 at 8:33 am
Karen B says:
Prepare to die. :rotfl: :rotfl:
On June 10, 2008 at 8:56 am
Kacey says:
Poor Spartacus…no freedom for him!
On June 10, 2008 at 9:05 am
Treasia says:
My goodness how they have grown. They don’t even look like the same little chickens.
On June 10, 2008 at 9:26 am
Jill S. says:
Aw, they’re growing up so fast!
On June 10, 2008 at 9:40 am
Donna says:
Ohhh, that is so exciting! I can’t believe how big they are now!!! Wow! I love your cute little stories to go along with what you are showing!
:sheepjump: They really are beautiful colors!
On June 10, 2008 at 11:01 am
pticester says:
Such a variety of colors. Neat.
On June 10, 2008 at 11:10 am
Diane says:
They are so pretty! They grow up so fast, don’t they? Before you turn around it’ll be kindergarten, then high school, then off to college, then they’ll be bringing some no-good rooster home to meet the family . . . . .
On June 10, 2008 at 11:56 am
Laney says:
They are SO BIG!!!
Wow!
On June 10, 2008 at 11:58 am
Kathy R says:
The children grow up so fast! First thing you know they are out of the nest and itching to try their wings. Applies to children, and chickens, too.
On June 10, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Jean says:
https://chickensintheroad.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/chicken.gif
They are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
On June 10, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Claudia W says:
Oh how pretty (And handsome) they all are!
Shame on you Spartacus for escaping! You should be a leader and show all the others how it’s done right!
Chickens are so much fun to watch. Thanks for shaing their first day out. I love the apprehensive movements they make when something is new.
On June 10, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Tori Lennox says:
Wow! They’re looking so grown up!!!
On June 10, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Crystal B. says:
Wow, they sure have grown.
On June 10, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Alison says:
Yay! I was hoping for a chicken update and there it was! :chicken: You have some very pretty chickens there. I don’t envy you deciding which roosters to keep.
On June 10, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Alison says:
Oh I just thought of something. If you are ever planning on having them sit and hatch some eggs you might want to put a layer of the hexagonal chicken wire around the bottom of the outside pen. Maybe that will help keep the bantys in also?
On June 10, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Karen Erickson says:
I can’t believe how big your chickens are getting! I love them. My husband and I really want some. Someday… :chicken:
On June 10, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Susan says:
The name Spartacus fits him to a tee! I love all of the different colors in their feathers. :chicken:
On June 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Brandy says:
They’ve grown so fast! And I still say Spartacus is cute. *G*
On June 10, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Sharon Elkins says:
I can’t believe how many different colors they are. It must make it easy to see who’s who.
On June 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Amy Addison says:
Those pictures are fantastic, Suzanne! I cannot believe how big the chickens are now. It’s only been six weeks? Holy Cats! Great pictures.
LOL on Spartacus.
On June 10, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Jodie says:
:purr: I’ll bet there is a bunch of cats very interested in those chickens, now that they are out and about.
On June 10, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Joanne says:
I want some chickens now…maybe my own little Spartacus. He looks like he could scare away all the opossum I have at my place! They sure have grown f-a-s-t, isn’t that always the way with kids? Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics.
jj
On June 10, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Kathleen in MI says:
I also cannot believe how big they have gotten so fast. And they are so beautiful.
You gave me quite a start, or I should say I gave myself quite a start by mis-reading a sentence. “to make sure no hawks could swoop down and pluck up my babies” I missed the word “no”.
On June 10, 2008 at 3:45 pm
margiesbooboo says:
i love how the chicken is checking for the hawk shield in picture 5.
huggs,
margiesbooboo
On June 10, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Estella says:
The chickens have grown sooo fast!
On June 10, 2008 at 4:21 pm
TeresaH says:
They sure have grown a lot. I am glad that I’m not on the receiving end of spartacus’s looks…he is definitely plotting some evil revenge…
On June 10, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Chris says:
I barked out loud when I got to the *prepare to die* picture. Your chickens crack me up. We had an angry, attack rooster when I was growing up named Peep-Peep.
Years of therapy, years of therapy…
On June 10, 2008 at 6:05 pm
maryann says:
Not meaning to sound scary here but are you going to overlay the fencing with additional chicken wire to keep out weasels?
On June 10, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Maryann, right now, I’m just letting them out for brief periods, but yes, for the sake of the banties if nothing else, we’re going to overlay additional chicken wire. That should help with predators, too!
On June 10, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Paula Bogdan says:
I am so loving these chicken stories! Lord, but have they ever gotten big!
On June 10, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Shelley says:
:wave: All your chickens are beautiful – never knew such a variety existed. Spartacus makes me laugh just be seeing his evil face- I think he’s going places….
On June 10, 2008 at 7:19 pm
catslady says:
They’re all so gorgeous and big as everyone else has said
Can’t wait for the first egg :chicken:
On June 10, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Jodie says:
I zoomed in on the top photo and see a kitty cat waiting to see the chicks. Are you going to add some wire mesh to the open air area between the top of the walls and roof? It seem like something could get into the coop that way. Of course I’m not a farmer. LOL
On June 10, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Darlene says:
“Prepare to die”…that is just too funny! Just wait til he’s big enough to chase you, lol.
On June 10, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Jodie, there is some wire there, it’s just hard to see in the picture!
On June 11, 2008 at 5:35 am