I haven't had much time lately to write about my chickens since I was quite busy building their "Run" . In fact, I had to hold off work on  the run due to some weather condition lately and my work/personal life have been quite busy as well.  At any rate, I wanted to quickly share some images that I took recently of "Peaches".  Well first of all, he/she doesn't look like a hen anymore, I probably have a second Rooster in my hand.   As you can see, I have a Cuckoo Chocolate Orpington (which is by the way extremely rare from what I've learned). Rare or not, he will not be serving the primary purpose for 

 which I need chicken.   If I were into breeding and it made sense for me to explore that area, I would be ver excited to see his line continues.  However, the reality is, I need to keep hen for egg production. Last time I checked, 'Rooster doesn't lay any eggs' ;p .

Peaches (I should continue to call him that) has some personalities that is unique to him.  He is usually a loner ; constantly drift away from the other three which are always together. He also the only one challenges Tim for a quick fight.  Peaches is least scared of me. When I took these photo with my iPHone, he was not troubled by me at all.  

I think Peaches is the true bantam while the other Orpington I have are in between (Large Fowl).  I have to take some picture of the other Orpington so you can see how they have grown compare to Peaches.

 If you read my previous blog, I pretty much didn't anticipate Tim, Sally, Sarah and Peaches(those baby chicks that were hatched from my recent 'hatching' attempt).  Due to major shipping mixup, temp fluctuation etc, I thought I was heading for a 100% loss; but was I ever so wrong. I was pleasantly surprised with the 4 chicks that you read about (who are doing great by the way).    When all hopes were gone, I joined in a "Pool" of "Chick Purchase" with few buddies of mine at work.   By the time my chicks hatched, I didn't feel it would be fair for me to bail out from taking my share and leaving them with

 bunch of extra chicken (especially when they don't have room for too many chicken).  Anyway, long story short, the baby chicks finally arrived (after nearly a month and a half or more later) and I went to my friends house and picked up these chicks.   The order was for "Variety" pack, so we are not quite sure what we got.   I'm assuming "Australorp, Barred Rock, and perhaps Buff Orpington.  But only time will tell what are the exact kind.  At any rate, at this time I am more interested in tasting some my own chicken's eggs and not even keen to breed them for hatching eggs.  In fact, I don't plan to keep any rooster, so in a way, this arrangement works out better for me.  If I have to give one or two up due to those being Roos, I still may end up with few Hen to

 get some farm raised eggs.   Oh by the way,  this chicks are not as friendly as my incubator hatched chicks for some reason.  I think they have gone through the shipping stress and changing hands, among other stresses.

So far,  they are doing pretty good.  I have kept them separate from my existing 4 chicks who are almost double their size.  You will see that when I have a chance to post some of their recent pics.  I figured, it would be wise to raise these new guys separate for a little while until they grow more feathers (so they can take the bitting when the pecking order time comes) :p ...  

Oh by the way, if you are wondering I'm taking them outside based on these pictures, I should clarify that.  I only took them out for a few minutes
just to take some snap.  I also took the time to

clean up their brooder.  I had to be extra vigilant for the cat who was larking around nearby.  

Right now, these babies are staying in my basement in their brooder, with brooder light on continuously.  I've been thinking about turning the light off during the daytime as the temp seems to stay in the high 70s to low 80s.  

I also got some Organic "Chicks Feed" from the friend who ordered the chicks for us.  I am giving them and some left over "Manna Pro" non-medicated feed that I fed the other chicks.  I read and heard some good things about Manna Pro, so I don't feel bad.   However, if I can help it, I will always avoid processed feed.   I think chicken should eat organic food.   My older chicks are eating the organic feed, grass, bugs, worms . whatever they can find.  In fact, I am finding them to be a huge help on weed control.  I noticed they devour any weed that sticks out in between my bermuda grass.    I also give them grapes (broken ones), mealworms etc.  They seems to be very happy.  :)