The Chick Whisperer

I have given myself (Leigh) the nickname of "Chick Whisperer". Everyone in the family agrees that this is an appropriate nickname for me, since I am able to put our baby chicks to sleep almost every time I cluck at them. 

I first noticed this phenomenon about a week ago when we had only had the chicks for a couple of days. When I approached their tub, I wanted them to be calm and, of course, they were not. Anyone out there who has had baby chicks knows that it is rare to see them just kind of chilling out. They are usually pecking at the ground, or trying out their wings, or running around or pecking each other! (Establishing pecking order, I guess.) 

I don't know why I clucked at them...maybe because I do it with my dog, Sunny, when I am calming him or giving him pats...maybe because I grew up near farmland and had a best friend with horses, that she used to calm by clucking at them. Whatever the reason, it definitely just happened naturally. 

When I did it at the chicks, they immediately stopped pecking and cocked their heads at me. ALL OF THEM!!! "Weird," I thought. I wonder what would happen if I kept clucking. So, I kept clucking about 30 seconds. By the time 30 seconds was up, they all had their heads in the cedar chips and were snoozing!!

If you have chicks, you may already know this. This is our first time. We are definitely novice chick parents and every day is a new adventure in parenting. SO, it was a surprise and, who knows, it may come in handy when we are trying to collect their eggs when they get a bit bigger. 

-Leigh

Why Bother?

When considering changes like our family is trying to make questions like "why bother" sometimes nag at the back of my mind.  A recent article by Michael Pollan in the New York Times attempts to analyze this question and in my opinion paraphrases nicely the thoughts that go into an effort like the one that we are beginning.  It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the global warming crisis if you read all the news that continues to be generated recently.  It is easy to critically examine the issue and come to the conclusion that any change we attempt to make isn't going to do enough to make a difference and this is probably true.  

Is it me or have we already entered a time of rapidly changing climate?  Have we already reached a point of no return?  I like to feel we have time, but I also know that even though our families efforts may be trivial and given the big picture (developing India and China) not really going to make a difference.  The effort alone is important to us. 

Please see comment below for a permanant link to the article.

-George