Today, we brought 6 of 7 of the first batch of chicks outside. The 'one' that didn't come outside is "chickadee". She has a splayed leg, and does the splits all the time.
Her one leg is not very functional, and every web site we looked at said there is no cure and the most humane thing to do is put her down. Well, if you know my daughter, that isn't really an option. Her feeling was, if she's eating, pooping, growing and happy, she is staying. Well, she is doing all those things and Kristin feels that God gave her this bird, because it's a little like her with her CP. Chickadee is always happy to cuddle with Kristin, and we realize she can probably not be integrated with the bigger chickens. She is doing great with the new chicks we got a few weeks ago, and so we keep her with them. Maybe they will be fine at a later time to be integrated in together. Until then, she will be inside with the other 7. Three are about 3 weeks from going out, and the remaining 4, minus chickadee, have about another 6 weeks. 
The sun was so beautiful today, Kristin brought out our two bravest and most social first....Speckled Red and Fat Louise. They took right to the grass and were happy to peck around.
The next two were "Fuzzy feet"--we call them both the same...totally feathered even to their feet!! 
So cute. They did pretty well. A little apprehensive, but did well. The last two, were Happy Feet and Hawk.....they were nervous but did OK. Kristin sat with them all, and Chelsea made sure no one escaped. It is funny how she knows her job so well when there are new ones around. She is even cool with giving rides!!
We got them into the old chicken coop, and put them inside the pen.
(Ryan even helped...he claims not to like them!) This way, keeping them close, old and new can hang out safely, with no pecking going on. Long Comb, our first chick, was not a happy camper today!! She did a lot of squawking!! 
Even after we moved the chicks to the pen/chick coop, she laid right outside....she was with them the rest of the day, until it got dark and they went in the loft. It should be interesting when no one can free range tomorrow, and they are all in the pen (of course the little ones are in the old fenced coop.)
After everyone was settled in their place...Kristin brought Chikadee out to enjoy some sunshine...we think she liked it.
God blessed us today with sunshine from the time we started working to 30 minutes after we came in....Thank you Lord for that gift!
What a great day!
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