First Day Friends!

Our little flock is enjoying their new yard today despite the rainy, muggy weather. Macy and I got up at 7 to let them out, but they were reluctant to descend from their roosts. We left them to explore on their own. 

About an hour later, they were pecking and scratching up unchartered territory underneath the oak trees.  Chris offered handful after handful of scratch grain to encourage them to come out so we could see them. Nonnie and Papa stopped by for a brief inspection as well. 

After lunch, we went to check them since the dogs all seemed pretty interested in them, and we wanted to make sure that our barriers were keeping them out.  

We noticed that our waterer seemed to be malfunctioning.  Caleb and I attempted to level it with bricks when we heard some weird squeaking noise.  I rushed over making sure a chicken hadn't gotten itself caught up in some stray wisteria.   

Long story short, they found a legless friend who found a snack.  They were neither scared, nor disinterested.  I shooed them away with a garden hoe. When the garter snake captured his quarry, he slithered away from my tiny raptors into my front yard. 

I have an accidental video of me warning Caleb that the snek was heading toward him, but he shouldn't try to kill it. After all, he's harmless to us or the chickens, but he does take care of rodents.  

Who knows what other friends they'll be making in there first few days in their new home. For now they're content to nestle down by the butane tank and get settled.