Chicks are here!

[elmo]

One of our three broody hens was due for hatching this weekend, and we have been nervously checking her frequently for the last two days. A few minutes ago, when I checked on her I noticed a broken egg shell ...an empty shell! in the nest next to her breast feathers. I ran to get my daughter to show her. When we got back out there, the egg shell was not there anymore.

"But I swear it was right there!"

"Mom, you're seeing things again." And my daughter went back inside.

Fifteen minutes later, I checked again. This time, I saw two...TWO!... little chicks peeping out from under our hen's feathers, looking at me calmly. This time, I called to my husband who was working outside to come and see so he could verify that I wasn't seeing things! He saw the chicks, too.

But when I went inside to get my daughter to come out with me, you guessed it. By the time we came back out, the chicks were tucked back under the hen. She was very disappointed, but she believes me, this time.

There are four more eggs in the clutch, so I guess we'll need to wait a while more before the hen leads her family off the nest and we can see all of the little ones.

I forgot how cute they are.

 

[jossanne]

Isn't it exciting!!! And it is so hard to wait while the hatch finishes, isn't it. Congratulations!

 

[FlyingFChick]

That is great!!! I would love to have a broody that will hatch someday!!!!

Looking forward to pictures of your little cuties!!!

 

[elmo]

We counted two more. My daughter finally got to see them, too. We set up camp chairs outside the run and sat there quietly. It's so cute how the chicks wiggle out, look around, then dive back under mom.

At one point, there were two little butts sticking out with one little head sticking out between them, but eyes closed. Oh, for a camera handy!

If you want a broody, get an Old English Game bantam. Out of four chicks we raised last spring, all four of them are broody right now, even one that we rehomed with the roo that we were forced to part with because of a neighbor's complaint. Even with the change of scenery, the rehomed hen settled down and within a week to 10 days was brooding eggs.

 

[goldnchocolate]

Doesn't it just take your breath away to see those little faces peeking out from under mom....

How about some pictures of your mom and babies?

 

[elmo]

Yes, life's a miracle, isn't it? Every time.

We'll try to get some pictures tomorrow; I expect the hen will come off the nest then and we should be able to get some good ones. The chicks are so tiny! Unbelieveably so. We had grilled shrimp for dinner tonight and I swear some of those shrimp were bigger than these little chicks.

 

[elmo]

Did somebody say chick picture?

Six out of six! And two of them have feathered feet, which means they're the chicks of our favorite half d"Uccle hen. Hooray!