![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJUy9x8iuFIjXlSFWCgRmau2hNiukgn1oalb5uDZoUluR2yvKHbRSiosDtGiqYOKvFNF1RxW428Aah1LLYpC_2KNfSAJSjWr5unYNe9KaEp652Y7ZpOBaFdYOM4EyCkZ8eem1Zhry5JYG/s320/Web+Barley+grass.jpg)
Our baby chicks are growing fast in the warmth of the brooder. Soon they will be big enough to move out into the field and roam the pastures. Their soft baby down is slowly filling in with the true feathers that will keep them warm during the chilly nights.
In the meantime I've been sprouting barley so they can begin to have fresh grass even before they get to the pastures. They will be able to experiment with this new food now so they'll know just what to do when they are finally out scratching through a sea of grass. It's fun to watch them sample it, both in their beak and underfoot.