chicks vs chickens

I am just realizing as I'm watching the chicks each day growing more and more feathers and learn to hop higher onto things in their little brooder that I think I no longer have chicks - but small chickens.

They are 3 1/2 weeks old now and are about the size of an adult pigeon. They are able to do some pretty high jumping while flapping and able to zip around in the yard pretty quickly!

We have started on their coop and covered run. The run will be about 8' by 16'in a section of the yard where depending on the time of day either gets full sun or shade. Chickens seem to like basking in the sun while nestled into the grass all stretched out. (though if they want to get out of the sun, they will be able to in the run. They are pretty comical. They are also pretty friendly and if you're sitting down with them - they will come over to inspect you and hop up on your lap to get a closer look.

I can't believe how big they are getting so quickly. They will be moving outside full-time by next weekend. They'll have enough feathers to maintain their body heat, and will really need to be in the bigger space by then!