The chicks are of several varieties--Americaunas, Welsummers, and Australorps. They will lay copious eggs, I hope. It's pretty amazing, you can get just about anything online. That's where we got the chickens. Did you know that the US Postal Service delivers live poultry? I didn't either. The hatchery ships day-old chicks, and they arrive safe and sound (if somewhat crowded) in a cardboard box with air holes in the lid. Weird.
The chicks will stay indoors until the new coop is built. The new coop will be a poultry palace. We're going to repurpose the lumber from the current alpaca shelter and use it in the new, improved, much larger shelter. This shelter will adjoin the coop in an L-shape, with a storage room at the angle attaching the two sides.
We have two new alpacas, as well. I am pleased to introduce Whiteout and Edgefield.
This is Whiteout. He's approximately three years old. He's about the same size as Mizzie.
This is Edgefield. He's about 7 months old, and is just being weaned. He's by far the smallest of the bunch.
The boys have integrated into the herd nicely. It was touch and go for a few minutes, because Mizzie felt very threatened by Whiteout, but everyone is getting along now. No one has felt threatened by Edgefield, since he's so small.
We picked up the two new alpacas in Washington, and the ride home was fairly uneventful. However, it is apparent that Edgefield is missing his mom, because he keeps wandering the pastures, humming and looking for her. He and Whiteout have attached themselves to Atticus, who, though he is the leader of the herd, isn't sure he wants to be followed THAT closely.
I've been my usual OCD self, sneaking out to the pasture to spy on the boys, making sure that the new kids are getting enough to eat, and are not being picked on. So far so good. Atticus is a calm, confident alpha, and Goldie is a friendly ambassador for the new guys.
Poor Harry and the girls--they have no idea what awaits them in a month or so. They will be completely outnumbered. Look at them, obliviously ranging around the pasture:
Poor Harry--he can barely keep track of the flock he has. He's going to have a fit when he sees how many new hens he'll have to herd around.
Bridgie has informed me that those new girls had better watch their step--SHE rules the coop (unbeknownst to Harry), and she'll whip them into shape!
