Growing up fast

Remember the chicks, brand-new and fluffy?  I'm afraid I've done what most people raising baby chicks end up doing, in terms of pictures and documentation.  Dozens of photos of the first few days, then a long gap, and suddenly they look like chickens.  Full-grown chickens!

"the girls" have grown up a lot in the last few months.  

Well, they are still quite a bit smaller than our big old MaryLou, but they are decidedly not chicks anymore. The good news is, they are in fact friendly and pet-able, making them great for visiting friends.  This morning our two-year-old neighbor Will got to get right up close and personal with MaryLou and one of the Buff Orpingtons (the yellowish ones in this picture), petting and clucking right back at them.