{life in the brooder}

any.  These adorable fluff-balls run around the brooder all day.  Ducking under the hovers to warm themselves under the lights.  Then dashing from the waterer to the feeder and then back again about a hundred times.

They are so fun to watch.  When I’m out helping Farmer Jones, I often find myself wandering over to the brooder to check on the chicks.

There is something about just sitting in the presence of animals that calms the soul.  Simply watching them, being still, letting your mind wander, contemplating other things that are more important than whatever you are currently in a tizzy about; like the gift of life.  You realize that when you have food, water, shelter, and are being fully who you were made to be, there really isn’t much that should make us fret as much as we do.

Currently, one bay of the brooder has some older layers in it.  Another bay has just broiler chicks.  Another bay has broiler chicks and some layer chicks in it.  The last of the four bays, is getting prepped to receive another batch of broiler chicks this week.

Our first batch of layer chicks of the season, got incredibly chilled in transit and we lost over half of our new flock.  It is always heartbreaking when such a simple thing wipes out so many.  It also makes it very challenging to then coordinate your brooder space and  scheduling the exit from the brooder onto pasture.  But as farmers, you have to be able to roll with the punches- even when they keep knocking down on your tush.

The chicks don’t seem to notice and haven’t been phased by their brooder mates.  I found these two wee-ones cuddling under the hover.  Too cute!