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.
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.)
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
Nature Society 