Salt and Pepper

Sparky Mama, Binky, and Sparky

We got three chicks yesterday. We are getting 8 more soon to make 11. If you were one of my siblings the day we got them, you would see how protective I am of them. I still am that way a day later because I don't like it when someone picks up a chick by their wing or drops one from too high up.

This is because I've had chicks before.

The first chick that died in one of our homes was named Salt and Pepper. He was a gray ball of fluff with little black and white specks covering his body. He never did anything wrong and was the smallest out of all the chicks we had. Guess how he died? Pasty butt.

Pasty butt is when the chick's rear is covered in waste, preventing it from going to the bathroom. The waste builds up until the chick passes away. To prevent this, someone must wipe the baby chicken's rump clean of the waste with a warm, wet, paper towel.

Salt and Pepper never did anything wrong. But his owners didn't know there was a problem so, sadly, he had to go. It brings me comfort to know that Salt and Pepper is smiling down from the clouds, watching to see how carefully I take care of his kind.

He wasn't just a piece of meat and neither are any chicks. They are all creations of God that He loves very much. Abigail is one of his loved creations as well. She never did anything wrong, but she had to return to her Heavenly Father, just like Salt and Pepper.

And I think they are great friends.

Dedicated to all of the chicks who have passed away in our home.