Baby Chick

MIKE SPRINGER/Staff photo
Lara Lepionka, executive director of Backyard Growers, holds one of a brood of baby chicks the group is raising in its front window at 269 Main Street in Gloucester. In what is being billed as "the cutest fundraiser in the history of the world," the staff at Backyard Growers are raising the chicks for eight weeks until they are pullets, or almost-laying hens, when they will be sold in groups of three to experienced chicken owners. For information on buying a set of chicks, or to make a direct donation to Backyard Growers, go to http://www.backyardgrowers.org. Meanwhile, the public is invited to stop by and watch the chicks in the window. "Please feel free to ooh and aww at them and generally gawk at their adorableness!" says a sign in the window. "Unfortunately, we cannot allow any petting, cuddling, or pocketing of the chicks." Aww.

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