Happy Baby Chick Day!

I was dressed and waiting for the phone to ring this morning at 7AM.  Today is  Baby Chick Day.  This is a red letter day for us.  Weeks ago we ordered a batch of baby ckicks from Welp’s in Iowa.  They tell us what day the chicks will be hatched and shipped. The first thing in the morning the day after they are shipped, they get to our post office in Embarrass. Our postmaster calls as soon as the mail arrives, and then I hop in the van to go get them. It still amazes me that they are able to mail baby chickens – but it works great. They all arrived safe and sound without a single loss. I thought it interesting that they are able to overnight 150 baby chicks for $14.00 in shipping.  That seems like a bargain when you think about it. I sure wish I hadn’t dropped the camera 2 weeks ago because these little creatures would make a dandy photo. 

Baby chick day is a sure sign of Spring for us.  I was more than a little concerned about the weather this year since less than 2 weeks ago we had a major snow storm with over 2 feet of snow. To add insult to injury we got many more inches just a few days later.  But - hooray!- the weather took a turn for the better, and the snow is leaving almost as suddenly as it came. The robins are back, the pussy willows are blooming, the creek is rising (oooo...that's a whole 'nother story),  and Baby Chick Day is here!

The day before the chicks are expected the brooder needs to be prepared. Normally, this is my job, but I am still out of commission with a broken arm so Shannon took over. The waters and feeders need to be brought out of the barn for a thorough scrubbing. They get awfully dirty over the winter. They need to be filled as well, of course.  Straw is laid in the bottom of the little building with flip up roof sides that we use for a brooder.  Bulbs are checked in the heat lamps, the lamps are lowered as far down as possible this time of year, and electrical cords are strung out.  Those baby chicks need to be kept very warm until they feather out.  April in Northern Minnesota is a challenging time for the little buggers. Yesterday morning it was in the mid 40s when the kids got on the bus, but today is was in the mid 20s. We have to watch them carefully to make sure they stay warm and dry. When it warms up, we need to crack the roof so they don’t overheat…but there is no danger of that today. 

I’ll post pictures when my camera is back from the repair shop.