Got the call
At about 2 pm yesterday, I got the call from Peavey Mart to come pick up our chicks. Immediately, I got in the car and was going to head out. Luckily, some common sense kicked in, allowing me to feed the goats and used the bathroom before heading out. I even remembered to turn on the brooder plate to get things warmed up for them.
The chicks had just hatched that morning – so they were only a few hours old!
Because I didn’t get our order in on time, I had to drive all the way to Sherwood Park, about 90 min each way, to pick up the chicks. The drive went smoothly and I was handed a box full of chicks.
The drive home was uneventful, and the chicks enjoyed the warmth of the seat heater.
What kind of chicks?
These are Heritage Chickens from a program at the University of Alberta. We ordered 10 chicks. The yellow chicks are Light Sussex and the dark ones are Plymouth Barred Rock. This is what they will look like when the grow up.
Light Sussex Rooster 
Light Sussex Chickens 
Plymouth Rock Rooster 
Light Sussex Chicken
The Chicks are purchased “straight run”. That means we won’t know whether they are hens or roosters until they are older. Hopefully we don’t have too many roosters. We can only keep one rooster, the rest will have to go to freezer camp.
Into the Brooder Box
Each chick got a quick, head to toe, visual exam, then I dipped the chick’s beak in the water for its first drink. Everyone looks great.
Shavings added…
Naturally, I forgot to add the shavings, on top of the puppy pads, until after the chicks were in the brooder. This led to shavings all over everyone…
If you are curious about our brooder set up, see https://titanranch.ca/easy-diy-chicken-brooder-box/
Happy at home
The chicks have settled in nicely, in their brooder. It will be home for the next couple of weeks – until they outgrow it.
The chicks are living in the basement for now, but their happy chirps can be heard all thru the house.
Oh Laurie, this is so awesome!
I am definitely having fun!