chicks, 2 days old

The chicks arrived this morning! I got the call from the post office as DH and I were driving to work, so I left a voicemail for my boss, shot off an email and rushed off to the PO. I was second in line, but the guys in front of me wanted passport services, which didn't open for another hour, so I was pushed to the front.

Tiny chirping emitted from the box the whole time I was being helped. When I got them to the car, I blasted the heater, and they quieted a little. I set up their living space after frantically searching for an extension cord (I thought I knew where it was) for the heat lamp.

Finally, they were settled. I dipped their beaks in water and set them down. Our only yellow chick was the first to drink. One of my Easter Eggers was pasted up, so I spent some time with her to get that cleared away. She complained the whole time, but I was determined because My Pet Chicken's Chicken Care eBook, which I have found to be a great guide, said pasting up can be fatal.

They are a little camera shy, but I managed to get a few shots; the color in the pictures is off because they are under a red light and the pics had to be corrected. Three of my chicks have tufts on their faces, and since I ordered 3 EEs, I think these are them. You can see a chick with the tufts in this pic.

I find it quite hilarious that I had the chick waterer before I even ordered my chicks. I really like jars, and when I saw this vintage waterer at MidwestFinds on Etsy, I for whatever reason had to have it. Now I'm glad it's being put to good use.

I still haven't decided on names, but DH's newest idea is to call them the Royal Flush Gang, and name them Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten. I really like the idea, but the DC Universe is already represented by our cat, Selina Kyle. And we can't continue the theme if we get more hens. My most recent idea was to name them after constellations, which would allow us to expand our flock. Then again, the name Ace seems to fit our yellow girl so far. She was the first to eat and drink, and the girls (I hope they are all girls!) follow her and crowd around her when frightened.