It’s been the better part of a week since I first let the chicks out into their run. Things have been happening so fast around here that I haven’t had time to write it all.
Last Saturday was the only warm, sunny day in the middle of several rainy days. I hadn’t planned on letting the chicks into the run yet since they were still getting used to the coop as their new home. But when I went to check on the chicks that morning, the coop was already quite warm and steamy. So, I decided to open the hatch to the run to get the air circulating. I sat down on the plastic feed box to see what the chicks’ reaction would be.
As soon as they saw the open door, the chicks all ran over to it to investigate. No one was eager to be the first to explore. The grass inside the run had grown up quite tall and it looked like a jungle compared to the size of my little chicks.
I was sure Dolly would be the first to step out into the wilderness. As I watched I became more confident that she would lead the way. While some of the others seemingly lost interest and went back to the feeders, Dolly hopped up onto the edge of the opening. She stuck her head out as far as she could to see what she could see. Soon she became engrossed in playing tug-of-war with a long blade of grass that hung into the coop. While she and some of the others that joined her game were preoccupied, little Faith hopped up on the edge of the door casing and then jumped down into the grass.
Immediately there was a whole world in front of her filled with bugs! Soon Faith had the attention of all the other chickens who, one by one, joined her in the hunt for bugs. The leghorns, who are always the bravest, made their way out into the tall grass. The RI Reds were shy at first. Some of them would jump into the grass and then jump back into the coop several times until they were sure enough of themselves and their surroundings.
At dusk, when I went out to close their hatch, all of the chicks were already inside the coop and bedded down for the night. Instinct told them what to do and where to go.
In the mornings now, they all gather in front of the hatch and wait for me to open it. Then there is a great flutter of wings and a whirlwind of feathers and shavings as each chick rushes to be the first one out the door!
There are several worn paths in the tall grass now. The slug and mosquito population has diminished. And my chickens are getting fat and happy. What a life!