New chicks!

After carefully talking it over with my husband, we decided that we didn't want to acquire more chicks right now. We both have a lot of work on our plates and although we are set up for chickens and have three girls in our run now, we didn't need another project. New hens need attention as they work into the existing pecking order. It's always an adjustment.

So as we packed to drive the couple of hours to Ventura for the Seaside Feather Fanciers show April 13, we didn't bring a carton for birds. We knew we wouldn't be getting any.

Until we got there and saw these adorable month-old chicks, raised by Christie Hittner of Harmony Farms in Los Alamos. I was especially excited about the Ancona. Obviously, one was not enough, and we both loved the Welsummer and the Blue-Laced Red Wyandotte, so we took three.

 They immediately began to enjoy the backyard grass.

 This Welsummer is so sweet!

 The Ancona is living up to her breed reputation as flighty, but she's curious and eager to explore, if a bit high-strung.

The Wyandotte is already the largest of the three. I'm calling them The Three Graces -- Aglaia (elegance, brightness and splendor); Thalia (youth, beauty and good cheer); and Euphrosyne (mirth and joyfulness) -- or, if I can't remember which is which, Grace, Grace and Grace.