Nature Society

Week 3 Chicks Update

April 29, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in chickens, interesting animals, pets

Going into Week 3, I can tell that the chicks have grown a lot!

Their average weight is now 2.96 oz., almost 2x last week’s measurement!

They have also grown in their first tail feathers and have grown in most of their wing feathers. We were astonished and amazed that they seem to grow a tail overnight!

They began to fly and are more brave to jump off higher objects. We had to tape the sides of the box to make it higher because one of them flew out!

They also trust us more. Some of them even follow me around the house.

So, we miss getting to hold them on our laps while we watch tv, but enjoy seeing them flutter around. The definitely have more energy!

What pet do you have? Tell us about them in the Comments below!

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Week 2 Chicks & Camouflage Moths

April 23, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in camoflauge, chickens, interesting animals, nature, pets

So the chicks are now one week old and noticeably bigger!

In this one week:

Their average weight is up from 1.39 ounces to 1.55 ounces
They are trying to flap around and fly more
They definitely poop more and we have to clean out their box like 3 times a day!
Their bony shaft is now turning to full feathers on their wings
The Black (Australorp) seem more friendly and let us hold them more. They also sleep more.
The Yellow (Buff Orpington) are more nervous for us to pick them up and try to fly around more.

Can you see how their fuzz is turning into wing feathers?

If you want to know what it sounds like around here all day!

What is our most often asked question?

HOW can you tell them apart?

Well, meet Laura! She is yellow with a tiny red dot on her beak.

Leia is black with a mostly white beak.

Mary is yellow but slightly darker and has no mark on her beak.

And Hazel is black with a black beak and also the largest right now.

(and, Yes, some of these are named after some of our favorite characters.)

This is what their home looks like under the red warming lamp. Baby chicks must be kept warm for the first month.

The chicks get lots of attention and we think they like to listen to stories too.

CAMOUFLAGE MOTHS

You can often find camouflage animals living all around us.

One day, while I was outside, I spotted a moth on the big White Oak tree in our yard. It used camouflage to disguise itself as the lichen-covered bark on the tree. This helps protect it from its predators such as bird or lizards.

Can you spot it? Can you find one this week outside? Keep an eye out for camouflage! Let us know what you find and submit your own picture and explanation of clever camouflage in nature.

By Judah Love

naturesociety.net Join the Kids Nature Society! Baby Chick observations #creation #chickenfarming #naturesociety

Baby Chicks: Day 1 Observations

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in chickens, interesting animals, pets

So, the phone call we’ve been waiting for finally came – the Post Office called to say our box of baby chicks had arrived!

My dad brought them home and we carefully opened the box.

It’s been fun to see how each of the 4 chicks are different and also observe what they all do that is the same.

Day 1 Observations about all 4 chicks:

They are less afraid than we thought they would be to be picked up.
Their wings are not grown in and you see the bony, feather shaft where the adult feathers will grow in and replace the tiny down feathers they have now.
When they drink, they dip their beak into the water and then lift their heads back like they are gurgling.
They sit on their feet and lean their heads far forward to sleep.
They chirp more than we expected, almost constantly while they are awake. If it’s quiet = they are asleep!
They jump off of their bedding trying to fly, even though only 2 days old!
It’s fun to watch them clean themselves and hop around!

We will post up weekly as the grow larger, change, and get their feathers. Ask your parent to sign up for the weekly email so that you don’t miss it!

By Judah & Simon Love

Day old chickens - first week as chicken owners www.naturesociety.net #arechickensgoodpets #raisingchickens #petchickens #bestpetsforkids

Disgusting Nature #1

April 8, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in interesting animals, interesting plants, nature

The Hoatzin Bird

Animals and plants can be amazing, but some can also be disgusting.

The Hoatzin bird builds its nest above the water of the river. This enables the chicks to simply hop into the water and swim to safety if the nest is attacked. The chicks also have small claws on its wings to help it grip and climb trees.

But here is the gross part: the leaves that the Hoatzin eats are fermented in its throat. This gives the bird awful breath! This is why the people in northern South America call it the Stink bird and no one hunts this animal. The same thing happens in a cow’s stomach. This is why the Hoatzin smells like cow manure.

naturesociety.net Rafflesia Flower and Hoatzin Bird #kidsblog #naturesociety #creation #disgustingnature — Hoatzin Bird & Rafflesia Flower

The Rafflesia Flower

Some plants are revolting too.

The Rafflesia flower, or corpse flower, literally smells like rotting meat. It is often larger than 3 feet wide and can weigh more than 200 pounds! The awful smell it puts off helps attract flies and beetles which will help pollinate the flower. Also this plant has no stem, leaves or even roots!

It is named after Sir Stamford Raffles the leader of the expedition on which it was first recorded and grows naturally in Indonesia.

by Judah L.

Sources I used:

Amazing Birds: Fact Files by Miles Kelly
How Does a Seed Sprout? by Stewart & Schwartz
Boys’ Life Magazine, October 2018
Wikipedia: Rafflesia flower

Animal Camoflauge

March 18, 2019March 22, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in camoflauge, nature

While on a camping trip to Uwharrie national Forest in NC, I noticed a small piece of lichen that appeared to be moving.

When I looked closer I found that it was actually a small pill bug covered in the lichen! I found it fascinating that bugs could disguise themselves in such ways. Can you spot it among the rust and dirt on an outdoor grill?

Animal Camoflauge www.naturesociety.net #godscreation #lichen #pillbug #naturesociety

Lichen is actually a type of fungus and algae that grows on rocks and trees. One cool fact about lichen is that they help absorb toxins in the atmosphere. You can read more from the US Department of Agriculture about Lichen here.

See if you can find any cool camoflauge in nature and send us a picture!

judah.naturesociety@gmail.com

by Judah L.

Welcome to the Nature Society!

March 17, 2019April 23, 2019 by Jennifer Love, posted in introduction, nature, pets, turtle

Welcome to my new Nature blog – by kids and for kids!

Hello! My name is Judah and I love all things nature!

I have a pet turtle, named Snapper and enjoy watching birds from my window. I like camping, exploring and learning about animals and plants. I enjoy searching for animals and making structures with the rocks near a stream. I also like finding plants in our yard, re-potting them and watching them grow.

Soon I will be getting chicks for the first time and I’m looking forward to watching them grow too.

Welcome Introductions www.naturesociety.net #godscreation #paintedturtle #naturesociety

This is my pet Snapper! She’s a painted turtle that has lived in a tank in my room for about 4 years now. We rescued her near the highway by a river. You may not think you can take an aquatic turtle outside but I often let Snapper walk around in the grass, while keeping an eye on her. I also made a small cage with no floor which can be placed in the grass and Snapper can walk around without escaping.

I enjoy watching Snapper swim in the tank and get excited every time someone walks in the room. She dives off her dock and splashes energetically.

I hope that by reading this blog you and I will learn more about nature as we explore it together!

by Judah L.