We’re incubating week-old Buckeye chicks, which have apparently imprinted on the thermometer in their box (see photo below). We call it “momma thermometer” and it seems to provide the same comfort to the chicks as the biological sort. They like it really warm when they’re young, and Anne has set up a heat lamp that keeps them a comfortable 95 degrees Farenheit. This will be reduced by about 5 degrees per week until they’re ready for the great outdoors.

One of the little chicks is suffering problems in her tiny bowels and another is significantly smaller and less developed than the rest. We hope they all survive.

Meanwhile, Mom and Dad Ellis are visiting from Ohio, and helped us stabilize the coop by attaching treated lumber around the base. Everyone contributes labor around here! We plan to staple rat wire all around the base to try to keep out the raccoons and other chicken-eating critters. We’ll see how well that works.

Buckeye chicks, one week old.