So Arrowhead now has this "eco-shape" water bottle that is supposedly so much better for the environment because it uses 30% less plastic. When I saw the commercial for this a while back, I was immediately annoyed. I mean, the idea that any bottled water can be considered eco-friendly is absurd. Classic case of greenwashing.

And speaking of the scam of bottled water, here's some more info on that from Food & Water Watch. They are leading a campagin to "Take Back the Tap," by putting out the real truth about bottled water by highlighting:

• the fact that tap water is much more strongly regulated for health and safety than bottled water
• that bottled water pollutes the environment during its production process, its transportation to stores and the empty bottles that end up in landfills
• that it's a big waste of money

If you're interested, you can sign their Take Back the Tap pledge by clicking here.

And if you want to find out more about the water coming out of your tap, check out the National Tap Water Database.

Now here's a photo of my sister's dog enjoying some natural spring water in the San Antonio River.

It's now been two weeks since we got Jackie and Lisa, and they have grown a lot. I was out of town last week, and when I got back on Friday night they really looked different. They are definitely taller with bigger feet and longer necks. But, their most noticeable growth has been their feathers. They have more wing feathers and tail feathers, and their bodies are getting feathers now too. It's a bit of an awkward teenage look, but I still think they are cute.



While I was gone, Dakota switched their flooring from paper towels to pine shavings. He also put a stick in the brooder for them to use as a low perch. They seem to like the perch so far, and are getting better at standing on it and gripping it with their little toes. They've been trying out some other fun chicken behaviors as well, like scratching and dust baths--although, in this case, they are shavings baths.

They have been getting a bit rowdy at times, running and jumping and chasing each other around a bit. Dakota put a wire mesh over the top of the brooder to keep them in. We don't want them hopping out and running around the house while we're gone. What would Nigel think?



So, the chicks seem pretty happy and healthy at the two week mark. It's been fun raising them so far, and I'm excited for all the adventures to come.

As of today, we've had Jackie and Lisa for one week. Both chicks seem to be quite happy and thriving, and they are growing very quickly. As of today, they have some wing and tail feathers, and they've grown much taller and leaner. Here they are this morning by their feeder.



We'd better get to work preparing their outdoor coop and run. Dakota is planning to add a nest box area on one side of the coop. Then we'll need to create a fenced-in run so that they can hang out outside during the day, but still be protected from predators. Besides our neighborhood cats, we'll need to protect them from skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and hawks. It's a dangerous world out there for Jackie and Lisa. But, I'm confident Dakota will make something safe and secure for them.

Here they are on Day 3. They are getting more feathers and seem very comfortable in their new space. They grow up so fast!


Jackie & Lisa getting bigger from Audrey Diehl on Vimeo.

We have been trying to hold Jackie and Lisa up for a little while each day so that they get used to us. It freaks them out a little, but they do okay. The cutest part is that the chick who's left alone in the brooder starts looking around and peeping really loud. She misses her sister immediately.

Look at the cute sleeping chick! Awwwww. Luckily, one of my books warned me that chicks look kind of like they are dead when they sleep. Otherwise, I might have been a bit concerned.

This photo shows Jackie and Lisa on their second day at home. As of today (day 4), they have even more feathers on their wings and are starting to get some tail fathers. They have also gotten a little rowdy. Yesterday when Dakota got home, he saw that they had knocked over their thermometer and were standing on top of it, peeping.

Despite this, Jackie and Lisa continue to be very cute.

Check out Jackie and Lisa hanging out in the brooder.

Jackie & Lisa Day 1 from Audrey Diehl on Vimeo.

I'm so excited because today we went down to John's Feed 2, on Florence in South Los Angeles, and got two chicks. They are female (pullets is the technical term), and they should be Rhode Island Reds. The feed store guys were nice, but don't all speak English fluently, so I can't say I'm 100% certain what breed they are. But I am pretty sure they are reds of some kind, and they are likely Rhode Island Reds, which are a common laying breed. I was happy we found some pullets, because most places seem to be carrying "straight run" chicks, which means there are males and females mixed together. I definitely did not want to accidentally end up with a rooster.

Anyway, here is the first photo of Jackie and Lisa, our new pet chickens.



Aren't they adorable? We brought them straight home and put them in the brooder box that Dakota made them. They peeped the whole way back in the car.



They seem pretty happy and got used to their new home in about 15 minutes. Now they are just peeping away happily and eating and drinking and pooping like pros. And peeping! Non-stop peeping.

I can't wait to see how they grow.