You can’t turn your back for one second! So while I was away getting trained as a trainer, this happened... So from the 24 eggs we went to fetch from the other side of the world, 5 turned out to be infertile when we candled halfway through the incubation process. In the end, 15 of the remaining 19 hatched. So here’s the team.

Note that the types of chicken and especially their genders, as shown in the table below, is purely due to a blend of healthy speculation and wishful thinking combined – somewhat inspired by their little mannerisms as they go about their little lives. Well, we know for sure which ones are Scot greys, they’re quite easy to point out – but not from each other! The rest is all guesswork, or wishwork then. So here goes.

Photo	Name / Description
	1) Barry Because he looks like a strong, big Barry Sussex rooster, named by Patricia
	2) Milly Miracle Because it’s a miracle she survived and recovered from a lame leg Sussex hen, named by Jamila
	3) Sunny Because she was so bright and sunny, character in Grease Lightning Sussex hen, named by Lacey
	4) Sock Because he slept in Markus’ hand in a sock for a full hour Wyandotte’s rooster, named by Markus
	5) Rockwell Because he is the colour of rock and looks very strong (named after professor in a Ninja Turtles movie) Wyandotte’s rooster, named by Will
	6) Fluffball Because she is so soft - Micaela's pet Wyandotte’s hen, named by Micaela
	7) Midnight Because he is so dark Scot grey rooster, named by Aylwen
	8) Prince (originally called Tiara) Because he has a little flower crown on his head Scots Grey rooster, named by Patricia (may become Princess)
	9) Stripe Because he has a stripe on his head Scot grey hen, named by Patricia
	10) Carlos Named after Carlos Santana Scot Grey hen, named by Martin (may have to become Carlita?)
	11) Ahlia Because her gymnastics friend has the same name Scot grey hen, named by Lucy
	12) Mudcake Because Markus was eating a mudcake at the time and it just fitted… Scot grey hen, named by Markus
	13) Blackie Because she has a beautiful black colour Scot grey hen, named by Micaela
	14) Pansy and 15) Tansy Because they look like twins (except for their eye markings) Scot grey hens, named by Martin and Patricia

Socialising

The kids, and us too to an extent, spend a lot of time with the chicks. I must say, they are quite fascinating. We’ve set up a little enclosure in the shade of the climbing frame to introduce them to the concept of free-ranging at this early age. But we have to do this very carefully – there’s a hungry pied currawong doing the rounds. Frequently. So they never get left alone out there. So if ever you’re looking for either of the kids, they’re either at the brooder, at the little enclosure or somewhere in between – Micaela almost always, even when she has to get ready for school… It’s amazing how most of the chicks view the brooder on the patio as their home. All of them, except Barry with the attitude, make their way back to the brooder, even up the stairs, when they are turned loose from the little enclosure (always closely escorted by, I hope, a responsible human, who looks out for currawongs as well as where he/she is stepping.)

With regards to the dogs, Jet is settling in nicely with the chicks, very gently, although he is very curious. We’re not yet trusting Jazzie to close to them too often, although she is also getting taught to leave them be. She just seems a bit too intrigued. You never know when that hunting dog instinct flares up. But mind you, even though she loves a good chase, it’s normally Jet who catches the wild rabbits. So we’ll see how that all pans out. These are all big breeds, so soon enough they will put the dogs in their place!

Well, we will have to see in a few months’ time how good our guesses were!