My first time having a broody hen! WOW! She just hatched her first two chicks,and has 4 more to go. I am so excited! I have already hatched 2 batches this year in my incubator and boy was it a nerve-racking headache! Constantly monitoring temps and humidity levels, turning,watching, waiting... moving, feeding,monitoring brooder temps. But not this time! My broody japanese bantam, Ruby, has done all the work. And I have never witnessed such tender loving care. How she gently tucks the little ones under her wing, delicately situates the eggs into just the right spots. Makes re-assuring little clucks to her babies as they peek out from under her feathers....It is so awesome to watch her be such an attentive loving little mother! I think I just retired my overpriced incubator for the "real deal". Pics to follow later after Ruby is all done hatching. Cant wait to see her teach them all the ropes. And what is more exciting is I have 2 more broodies in the coop waiting their turns, too! If you've never got to see a broody hatch out her babes and love them up.... oh boy are you missing out! It's absolutely amazing!
