When I first took them out to the chicken coop to meet the other hens, they were quite unsure about their surroundings, and were terrified.
The hens were not happy at all about the new additions to "their" space... and the war was on...
Poor little things!
They have started putting on their feathers, and look so funny with half down and half feathers!
This little banty loves getting on top of the water holder and then begins to chirp loudly!
This picture was taken just a week ago! They have really grown and grown since then!
I kept the babies inside while I would let the hens out to free range in the grass morning and evening. The babies were glad for some relief from the mean hens, and would happily run around inside the coop.
This week however, the babies were almost as big as our banty hens, and so I decided it was time to let them outside for a while.
This morning I went out to check on the chickens and decided it was a perfect place to have my morning devotions, and keep my eye on the babies as they got to explore the outdoor world.
They were as thrilled and excited as they could be, chirping happy little sounds as they scurried through the grasses and weeds and playing in the dirt.
The hens were busy chasing bugs and doing their thing, and the baby chicks were free to roam and explore without being bullied by the hens, plus I was keeping a watchful eye on them.
Hard to believe how much they have grown in the past few days!
Getting their tummies full of fresh green grass!
Uh oh! The mean hen is back, and she has got all the baby chicks running for the corner. I keep hoping that one of the babies will decide to stand its ground and defend itself, but so far I haven't seen that happen.
I shooed the bully hen out of the coop, and the little ones came back outside.
I think this little banty is just so precious! She will let me hold her and pet her while some of the others won't.
Back in the grass... oh what a feast!
It was a very special time to sit in my lawn chair and watch the hens and the chicks busy themselves with bug chasing, grass eating, and dirt bathing, while I read my Bible, and had my devotions surrounded with happy little chirps. A blessed and beautiful way to start my morning!
I thought of this quote by George Washington Carver: "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if only we will tune in."
And Psalms 90:14 says "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for you and be glad all our days."
Indeed, my morning time spent with the Lord is the most precious and wonderful time of the day, and once I start the day with Him... like the Psalms said... I can sing and be glad all day long.
May the Lord bless your day with a song and gladness in your heart, for HE is good, and His mercies are new every morning!
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This is such a beautiful post. I loved all the pictures and your commentary and I love that you sat outside with 'the girls" this morning while you read the bible. What a great way to start your day.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your sweet words! It was a wonderful way to start the day! Thank you so much for your visit, it is always much appreciated! :)
DeleteOoohh the baby chicks look so cute,I´d wish to have some of my own <3.I had no idea that chicken could be so mean to each other :( .The poor babies.Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful images...they made my day.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Hugs
Caroline
I had no idea about the "pecking order" of chickens either, and why they can be so mean to each other! The babies love to see me, because that means I protect them from the mean hens, only problem is I can't stay out there all day. It makes me so sad to see that! They do seem to keep their distance from each other more now, and it isn't as bad. I appreciate your visit today!
DeleteYour baby chicks are so adorable! I can't believe how much they've grown! Hopefully, you'll get quite a harvest of eggs once these are mature.
ReplyDeleteAbigail seemed interested in them for a little while yesterday- leaning far from your arms to get a better look, haha. I am looking forward to Abigail growing up around chickens, chicks, goats, kids, sheep, lambs, rabbits, dogs-- and who knows what else!
See you later today,
~Raquel
They have really grown so fast! I am looking forward to the fall when they will start laying eggs, and enjoying the journey while they are so cute and small! It was really precious to see Abigail and the chicks! Hope you are having a wonderful day! :)
DeleteThis reminds me of spending time at my daughters house a couple weeks ago. She, and her girls were spending time with their chicks while the hens were running around eating bugs. My granddaughters don't understand the peck order with the older hens, and it upsets them when the chicks get picked on.
ReplyDeleteLove your post. It always inspires me when I visit here.
Have a great week!
Debbie
xo
It is hard to understand why chickens are so mean to each other, and how the pecking order works. I guess it is just part of the way the good Lord made them... I hope you are having a wonderful day and hopefully getting some sunshine in your neck of the woods! Appreciate your visit :)
DeleteThose few minutes we can grab in the morning are an especially blessed part of the day. I can hardly wait to get outside and see the mountains, flowers and listen to the quiet. Everyone can tell when I don't get my "quiet time", Especially me. Cute how you have made such friends with your chickens. g
ReplyDeleteOh yes, having that quiet time with the Lord every morning makes all the difference in my day! And having my morning devotions with the chicks was really special. I sit outside with them now in the mornings, drink my coffee and pray. It is a sweet time with the Lord. Hope you are having a wonderful day! :)
DeleteWhat a lovely morning!
ReplyDeleteHere's hugs to happy hens,
Kelley~
It was a lovely morning! Hoping you are having safe travels! Appreciate your visit :)
DeleteYES, praise His name...if I get my time in with Him first, the rest of my whole day goes so much smoother, and I am so much better equipped. When I don't make the effort to spend time with Him first, it throws my whole day out of skelter! So thankful for your precious words, and the chicks are just adorable. What wonderful, little devotions companions!! :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the morning time spent with the Lord is the best part of my day! And having my coffee and prayer with the chicks is very special. The chicks like to peck around my feet, and it has been so precious to enjoy that time with them, and with the Lord! Many hugs to you, appreciate your visit, and pray the Lord is blessing your day today :)
DeleteNice photos! That mean hen will have to be the first for chicken soup! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, and I was seriously considering it, because she wasn't laying either. However, she must have "read my thoughts" because yesterday she started laying again, lol!
DeleteWhat darlings! Do you get to hold them? They must be so soft.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
There are several of them that just love for me to pick them up and hold them. The rest don't want to be held, they are to busy searching for bugs, lol! It has been quite the journey raising these chicks, and I've really enjoyed it :)
DeleteI suppose it doesn't matter what kind of babies are in our care, we always want to protect them and they always get too big too fast! Boy, they're cute!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have found that is true no matter what I am taking care of... I get attached to them very quickly when I am responsible for their care, and babies of any kind always grow too fast! They are so cute and precious, and I've really enjoyed this experience with them! Appreciate your visit, and trust you are having a wonderful day :)
DeleteSuch a precious post, my friend. Your photos brought a smile to my face :) My son loves going into Murdochs in the Spring because they always have a bunch of chicks and of course he always wants one :) My in-laws have chickens so I guess he can get his chicken-fix over at their home {{smiles}}
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this charming post with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy your day!