Chicks, Poults, and Paws: Homestead Update

Hey everyone! Big news from our little corner of the world – our homestead family has grown with the arrival of some chirpy chicks and talkative turkey poults. The journey here? Surprisingly smooth. I was all set for an early scramble to the post office, but turns out, the anticipation was the hardest part. They arrived around midday, and shoutout to the local post office for not just holding for me to pickup as expected, but delivering them straight to my door. Now that's what I call service!

Opening that box was a burst of adorable chaos. The chicks and poults dove right into their feed and water, jazzed up with probiotics and electrolytes I had ready. But the surprise hit? A green gourmet mix—an extra dose of probiotics—kindly provided by the hatchery at no extra cost. That’s the vibrant stuff you see on the paper plate. They ate it up!

The warmth debate among our feathered friends was quickly resolved; the ceramic bulb emerged as the clear favorite, providing a snug 95 degrees of warmth. It's important to note that this bulb is hooked up to an added thermostat—a crucial addition, as my tests before their arrival showed it could get too hot. Without this thermostat to regulate the temperature, I wouldn't recommend using the bulb in this particular setup. So, while the heating plate waits patiently for its turn in the spotlight as the chicks grow, it’s the thermostat-controlled ceramic bulb that’s keeping everyone cozy right now.

Now, let's venture into the lively world of our turkey poults – and lively they are, with their insatiable need for attention right from the get-go. It seems they've quickly pegged me as their go-to source of entertainment, a role they've thrust upon me with endearing enthusiasm. Their charisma is impossible to ignore, marking a clear departure from the more self-sufficient chicks who seem perfectly content to do their own thing.

These turkey poults, chosen by the hatchery as broad-breasted varieties, bring an intriguing dynamic to the homestead. With two showcasing lighter feathers, likely broad-breasted whites, and the other pair donning a darker hue – possibly broad-breasted bronze, or maybe another variation of whites – my curiosity is piqued. This being my first foray into raising turkey poults, their specific breeds add another layer of mystery and anticipation to our journey together.

From the moment they arrived, their vocal bids for attention have woven a thread of immediate connection, a testament to the unforeseen bonds that form between humans and animals. It's fascinating, the immediate impact they've made, stirring a mix of emotions as I ponder their integral role in our homestead's ecosystem.

This early chapter with the poults, marked by their constant chirping and my attempts to decipher their needs, underscores a rich tapestry of care, learning, and adaptation. It's a delicate dance of giving them the attention they crave while contemplating their future as broad-breasted turkeys, a breed known not just for their size but for the specific care they require.

Navigating this new terrain, with its moments of joy and the reality of their purpose, is turning out to be a profound experience, inviting reflection on the relationships we cultivate with those in our care, no matter how brief their stay may be.

In all the hustle of getting our new chicks and poults settled, there's another little drama unfolding – keeping them safe from our cat. He's great at keeping mice away from the chicken coop, but let's be real, to him, a bird is a bird, tempting snack included.

So, yeah, my new gig seems to be playing referee between our mighty mouse hunter and our tiny new peepers. Keeping these little ones out of paw's reach is top of my list. If it means a few standoffs with our furry family member, so be it.

Stay tuned for the updates. Between feeding the chicks, chatting with the turkeys, and keeping the cat in check, it’s never a dull moment here. Mixing chicks, poults, and a curious cat sure keeps things interesting!

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