Panting

Too, too hot. Not even cooling off enough at night to warrent opening the windows. I don't know how my sister in Texas stands it when their heat index hits 120. 

I have to be extra careful to keep up with the chicken water because...

Hens doing what they really, really want.

Dad doesn't seem to notice.

It's all good.

AWOL

There is a reason I've been absent and distracted lately. In fact, there are 18 reasons:

This is the batch I hatched for a friend and their new momma is coming to pick them up today. :)

Last night I watched a documentary called 'Chicken People' and, while I have no interest in showing chickens, I can understand their fascination.

Boarders

These are the hens I hatched out in my incubator last spring and that have been living on my parents' farm all summer. This week all nine of them moved into my big coop with my flock for the winter. So far they are keeping to themselves, but I expect them to integrate with the others eventually. At least there is plenty of space in my pen.

The cat stayed behind. :)

Adult hens

I brought three hens over from the farm to introduce the chicks to society. They don't mingle much yet although the chicks were fascinated by the hen that could easily be a mum to them. After dark I had to fetch the speckled hens out of the branches of the honeysuckle bush and put them inside the coop. Hopefully they catch on soon.

Chick time

The chicks are growing well and have adjusted happily to the coop and pen. In fact, they seem fearless. When the dog lies down with his nose against the fence to watch them, they settle in a row on the other side to watch him.

They tend to stick close together. Earlier today when I didn't have my camera they laid down snugged up against each other and every one leaned over and stretched out a wing and a leg. It was hilarious!