The birdies are released

I can’t believe how fast the chicks grow. But it was time to remove the little door insert in the front of their brooder cage to let them start exploring.

To describe this process as mayhem would be entirely accurate. Once they start exploring, there are roaming, clueless, lost babies all over the place.

But dang, they are cute! And none were lost today. And most surprisingly, when I checked on them as dusk was starting to fall, they had all gone back into their little brooder all by themselves!

I keep waiting for one of the older hens to take an interest, but no takers so far. We will see!

This is the little “doorway” that allows them to come/go at wil.

What I love about this photo are the birds watching the action from within the brooder - like a little cheering section.

This bird is always very curious about the camera.

These girls are smart - perching right in front of the fan.

Brave explorers.

I took this photo at night - they all tucked themselves back into their brooder. We’ll see how long that lasts. When I checked on them this morning, a baby was all the way at the top of one of the big girl ladders.