For your enjoyment. Lucy and her brood. *PICS*

[babsbag]

I just wanted to share. Lucy is my first broody. She is a New Hampshire Red Bantam, and her chicks are "mutts", but that doesn't make them any less cute. She has 9 chicks. Some of the eggs were hers, some came from my other banties. I have 2 roos, 1 New Hampshire, and 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte, both banties.

They are living in my spare bedroom for another week. It is sooo much fun to watch them. Lucy has a certain cluck that she uses to call them out when it is time to eat the treats I bring them. She also has another cluck that she uses when a cat comes into the room. All the chicks go quiet and still while mom is on alert, then she gives them the notice to run and they all hide under her. It is adorable. And people say, "they are only chickens". Who knew this would be so much fun. I just love watching the chicks poke their heads up through mom's wings.

If anyone can tell me why the back of Lucy's head is bald I would like to know. Could the roos have done that to her? It has been about 6 weeks and no feathers have come back.

Just in case anyone is worried, the cats can't get the chicks, and really could care less about them. They just wander in to see what I am doing and to find the sun. My parakeets have taken care of that hunting instinct. Just lazy old house cats.

 

[Dollhoney]

They are so adorable, and what a beautiful mommy!

 

[Want Less]

So cute!!!

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Gorgeous mother, and of course the babies are adorable!

Isn't it just a joy watching the mother hands with their brood? I'm always surprised by how much I love watching them and don't tire of it, and I've had broodies on and off for eleven years now.

Looks like the chicks are going to be some fun and interesting colors--mutts are the best to watch grow up, if you ask me! Have fun with them and I hope they all thrive for you.

 

[RainbowBirds_of_a_Feather]

Congrats!!! They are super cute and I really like the diversity of the chick patterns. you need to update every week at best to show us development.

 

[goldnchocolate]

Thanks for sharing. Those chickies are so adorable!!! I love seeing chicks with their moms. Hopefully I will be able to take that kind of picture in less than a week

 

[Airilith]

Absolutely beautiful!!! I love mom and baby pictures! Too cute

About the bald spot. That does look to be about where a roo holds on to mount. So that could be that the roo got a little over zealous and pulled feathers out. I believe they should come back either on their own or after her next molt.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Adorable.

I agree that it looks like the rooster is pulling them out. She looks bare on her side too.

 

[Keri78]

Congrats! They are all so happy & content with their Mama!

I had my 1st broody hatch out 7 babies a few days ago and WHAT an AWESOME experience it's been to watch her!!! There's truly something miraculous about a Mama and her babies! I have my girl & her babies inside my sunroom...same set up...rubbermaid tote! I take her out to go potty three times a day and that's the ONLY time she goes! No to be gross but is is possible that the Mama's eat the baby poo b/c I honestly haven't seen much at all and if I do it seems to disappear??? I have shavings in with them. I know Mama dogs do this...could Mama hens do it too? Anyway...I'm totally LOVING the Broody Thing...it beats the heck out of doing all of the work myself. And it's funny b/c my 5 yr. old son said.."Mom..it's funny these babies don't cheep and aren't noisy"...I said, "That's because their with their Mama"!!!

Soo sweet! Enjoy your new Mama hen & her babies! Blessings, Keri

"The Proud Daddy"!!!!
Oh yeah..forgot to say she hatched 5 Red Frizzle Cochin babies and 2 calico sizzle babies!!! I'm looking to sell the frizzles...in case anyone is interested..PM me!

 

[Keri78]

Oh yeah...about her pulled feathers..could have been the Roo or even another hen. I have one girl that has the same issue going on...not sure if the hen she sleeps next to has this bad plucking habit or what???