Meaning no offence, ‘she found that going closer to how it's naturally done resulted in stronger healthier chicks’ really shouldn’t be a surprise to us.
Recap of past info: Boy Emu’s chicks – 100% natural – hatched over five days. The last hatched on the morning of the day that ‘Boy Emu Plus’ pulled up stakes (that is, abandoned the two remaining eggs. At that time, I didn’t understand that dad would know, from lack of sound and movement, that the eggs were infertile).
The ‘litter’ in the chicks’ environment was six and eight inches deep in plenty of places. Well, that last-hatched chick negotiated a hundred yards of it as they travelled to drink, then headed off into the wild blue yonder with everyone else. It must have covered a half a mile on the day it hatched.
S.E. has seen really young chicks at close range on only a couple of memorable occasions. I’ve seen a chick so small that it was literally ploughing through six inches of grass. (Observed right here at the house. Male with clutch of one. Saw a tiny little head stickin’ up out of the litter as dad approached. Dad has to walk r e a l l y s l o w l y.)
On another famous occasion, I had to run to ground two less-than-a-week-old chicks. Wasn’t easy. One evaded me for over a hundred yards – well hey! I’m old and slow!! (Remember Aisle Five and Aisle Seven. Gotta visit them!)
My point is that the wild chicks seem to be purty durn strong right off the bat.
And boy!! I sure would like to see a chick hatch!!
S.E.
Recap of past info: Boy Emu’s chicks – 100% natural – hatched over five days. The last hatched on the morning of the day that ‘Boy Emu Plus’ pulled up stakes (that is, abandoned the two remaining eggs. At that time, I didn’t understand that dad would know, from lack of sound and movement, that the eggs were infertile).
The ‘litter’ in the chicks’ environment was six and eight inches deep in plenty of places. Well, that last-hatched chick negotiated a hundred yards of it as they travelled to drink, then headed off into the wild blue yonder with everyone else. It must have covered a half a mile on the day it hatched.
S.E. has seen really young chicks at close range on only a couple of memorable occasions. I’ve seen a chick so small that it was literally ploughing through six inches of grass. (Observed right here at the house. Male with clutch of one. Saw a tiny little head stickin’ up out of the litter as dad approached. Dad has to walk r e a l l y s l o w l y.)
On another famous occasion, I had to run to ground two less-than-a-week-old chicks. Wasn’t easy. One evaded me for over a hundred yards – well hey! I’m old and slow!! (Remember Aisle Five and Aisle Seven. Gotta visit them!)
My point is that the wild chicks seem to be purty durn strong right off the bat.
And boy!! I sure would like to see a chick hatch!!
S.E.
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