Today was a delightful day, including a successful Meals on Wheels route and grocery shopping trip, and a walk outside at Tompson Street Reservation with my husband. It was also our baby chickens' 8 week anniversary of being alive, so it was time for them to stay outside overnight in the coop for the first time, and live outside permanently. I was super nervous about it, but I knew it was time (this must be what mothers feel when they let their children go to their first sleepover or move away to college, or when mama birds kick their baby birds out of the nest for their first flight).
We waited until after dark, when Tokena, Pepper, and Patty were already sleeping in the coop, then we brought the baby chicks out and put them in the coop one at a time. That was harder than I had imagined, because they were scared and would not leave my hands as I tried to put them down. They also started flying up to sit on my shoulders, and Saltina even nestled up in the crook of my elbow, yearning for me to stay. They were also all making this horribly sad peeping sound, alerting me that they were unhappy and scared. But ultimately, we had to let them go. I knew they were safe in the coop and that they would be fine just fine; I had to let them cry it out. We waited 30 minutes and went back outside to check on them, and all was quiet. They were sleeping, no longer sadly peeping, and the sound of silence was delightful and reassuring. They really would be just fine.
I checked on them again in the morning, and they really were just fine. I will miss having them in my house, but I will make a concerted effort to continue hanging out with them outside to further strengthen our relationship. I delight in their new independence; my babies are all growed up! :)
With delight,
♥Jamie
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