"...but I don't know what to do!"

Today was CHICKEN DAY! All herald the arrival of the pullets!

This afternoon, little 5 week-old chickens were delivered to our coop. They are all one breed (Hubbard Golden Comet). And they are cute -- cute -- cute. We expect to have these girls with us for about 3 years, laying eggs, eating bugs and being entertaining. And so far they have not disappointed.

They are little things, but still too big for their legs and wings. The result of their excitement is a very funny case of clutzy chicken! They run around the coop flapping their wings; because when one does it the others think it's a great idea and follow. But they can't seem to control their speed, or their braking and crash into one another. It's like a little chicken farce.

So we were wondering if instinct would take over when it came to roosting time. If you're not aware, most birds roost at night...meaning they find a safe and out-of-the-way place to perch and sleep. Chickens' eyesight is keen during the day, but suffers at night, making them vulnerable to predators. So they (should) have an instinct to protect themselves during the dark hours.

But not these girls.

We spent most of the afternoon and evening with them, but when it came to dusk, we went inside to allow their instincts to kick in. We wanted them to roost inside the henhouse and decided we would go back out after dark and move any who didn't comply.

When we walked out, we could hear them peeping! Why were they still awake? When Brian broke into laughter--they were ALL lined up at the door of the coop! Essentially, yelling for mommy and daddy to come and get them! Brian mimicked them between bouts of laughter, "but we don't know what to do!" HAHAHA! Poor little things had not yet either been taught or understood about roosting. So we carefully scooped them up one by one and placed them on the roost. It was like a scene from Raising Arizona. No sooner had we put one in and gone to get another, than the first one was back out again and at our feet!

Tonight, they are all locked up in the henhouse. We will let them out into the coop in the morning. I wonder how many nights we will end up repeating this bedtime ritual?

Sarah