Chickens

On Monday, we moved the chicks to their new pen. It wasn't a moment too soon, as they were too big for their baby pen. Here they are in the truck, on their way to the farm. We'd ordered a tarp to cover the pole barn, but it hadn't come yet, so we had to get another tarp for a temporary fix. Of course, once we put up the temporary one, the other one arrived the next day. We'll change it when it isn't wet and windy.

Here are the chicks in their new pen. We didn't have any straw at first, so we covered the bottom in newspaper and wood-chip bedding. You can sort of see Buddy peeking in the back.

On Tuesday I took Rick's truck and got straw for them.

This shot shows the box end, the tarps on the barn and the pen, and the extra feed and bedding.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I transplanted most of the tomatoes. Unfortunately, I've managed to get them all mixed up. I guess we'll know what's what when they fruit. The stuff in the small pots is lettuce and some Toma Verde tomatillos. The lettuce in the ground is doing really well, the snow peas are big and should start flowering soon, and the potatoes have sprouted. The peppers are still in the light box, and they are thriving.

The dogwood next door is just starting to bloom.

And we had a great sunset on Monday night.

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Weather Note

It's been threatening rain all week, but today is the first day with any actual rain. The week has been classic Chico spring weather: cloudy, blustery, and pretty cold. March always comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion--opposite the usual saying. Night temps are getting into the low 40s or even high 30s. I worried about the chicks getting too cold, but they seem to be fine, especially with their pen covered with tarps, lots of straw for bedding, and some strategic bits of cardboard to keep out the drafts. The forcast for the next few days is showers between bits of sunshine.

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