It’s that time of year again- time for Spring chicks! I got my day old Rhode Island Red chicks about a month ago and Dewey Dude has been helping me take care of them from day one. He loves the little fluffy baby chicks and is so gentle with them. I’ll hold one of the chicks for him to smell and he’ll give her tiny gentle kisses on the cheek. He is just the most loving dog I’ve ever known! (He’s great with the cats too)
The chicks are growing fast and I wanted to give them more room to stretch their wings and play, so I fenced off an area in the greenhouse where I just pulled the old lettuce and hadn’t planted anything new. This was the first time the chicks had been out in the sunshine and felt dirt under their feet. At first they weren’t sure what to do with all this freedom and space, so they didn’t go too far from the food. It didn’t take them long to get comfortable though. Within a few minutes they were running around (chicken zoomies!) flapping their wings and having lots of fun.
I let them play out in the greenhouse during the day, frequently checking on them, with Dewey Dude’s assistance, of course. So far I’ve only had one chick get out of the enclosure, and Dewey Dude came and told me a chick was in trouble. I heard her squawking as I approached the greenhouse. She was up against the fence, just trying to get back in to be with her sisters. I made the fencing more secure (she had slipped out under the fence) and I have the row cover on top to keep them from flying out. I haven’t had any more escapes so far. Dewey Dude keeps a good eye on the chicks though, and I’m sure he’ll let me know if they’re in trouble.
In the evening, as the temps start to drop (before it gets too cold) I load the chicks back into their carrier and take them back to their cage with the heat lamp in the garage. Dewey Dude leads the way, prancing along, tail held high, like he’s doing the most important job in the world. Once in the garage he watches very closely as I put each chick back in the cage. I always let him kiss at least one of them 😉 Whenever I go out during the evening to check on them that hard working dog has to come with me, even if he was sleeping. It’s his job to protect those chicks, and he takes his job very seriously. And the chicks quickly come to love Dewey and see him as a bit of a Mamma Hen. They’re not scared of him, and actually seem comforted by his presence. And that continues even as they grow to maturity. Dewey hangs out right in front of the chicken coop, and a bunch of the hens will be laying right up against the fence, as close to the dog as they can get. So far Dewey’s raised four batches of chickens.
I surely was blessed when this wonderful dog came into my life! He brings a smile to my face every single day, no matter what else might be going on.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle
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