Growing up Fast

The chicks are no longer really chicks. The other day as a I let them out I realised that they really are now mini adults. There's still a bit of filling out to do, but they're now in proportion, and have a full set of feathers. 

They now sleep with the big chickens in the main house, though usually have to be persuaded to go in each night. Cav in particular is less keen on going in, she's much flightier than the other birds, not helped by the fact that I have no idea how she see's anything. We think she's a she, slightly harder to judge than with the other two as there's no redder comb, but the puff of feathers on her head seems the right shape for a female. 

I've not been able to find Cav for most of the day, normally the 3 younger chickens go around together in a group, but all day I've only seen the 2 pekins. Then this afternoon I came across her having a whale of a time. 

This is one of our raised vegetable beds.... that pile of soil was formerly on the raised bed.

I don't think Mum will be best pleased when she sees that the path is now buried under a pile of soil! It also gives you a nice sense of how big Cav is, she's much taller than the other chickens, but still a bantam, so pretty tiny in comparison to full size chickens.

Do you see what I mean about the eyes.... they're in there somewhere!

Meanwhile the other 2 were having an afternoon siesta, I actually woke Wiggo up taking this photo! I don't think she was too impressed. I love how she now looks like a walking feather duster!

Wiggo's definitely a girl as well, look how much redder Froome's comb is, Boyo will have some competition next spring for his harem of ladies. 

I'm quite looking forward to the results of a Pekin/Polish cross that hairdo, and those feathery legs could be a winning combination in the ridiculous stakes.