Yesterday, as planned, the phone rang early.  The man at the post office was calling to let me know my chicks had arrived.  That was obvious by the chirping in the background!  It always amazes me that 25 newborn hatchlings can travel such a distance and be so vocal the entire trip.  They all arrived alive in their speical little box. 

I have a routine I do with my chicks when they first arrive.  I smear vaseline on their little butts to make sure their downy feathers don't plug them up.  It helps.  Then I dip their beaks in the water and count them as I go.  The hatchery always sends and extra chick as well as an exotic, so I have 27. 

It was COLD here yesterday with a bitter wind blowing!  When I brought the little chicks to their new home I was a bit concerned it would be too cold and drafty.  After getting them settled, I went and gathered a bunch of scrap wool from shearing and plugged every hole and crack I could find.  Then I banked the outside of their brooding box with more wool to protect it from drafts as well.  Great insulation!  I have some bags of it for sale in my etsy shop for nesting material!  It makes wonderful nesting material!