New Additions to the Homestead!!!
Cheep! Cheep!
I'm new to raising chickens and after a rough summer where a racoon had infiltrated the coop and managed to kill half my flock, it was starting to look pretty grim. But just when it seemed to be a lost cause.... I was shown that there's always hope!
My hens started laying, and this little gal did an awesome job with her first clutch of eggs.
As soon as I saw that she had decided to sit on her eggs I marked out 21 days on my calendar, just as my farming mentor told me. It was exciting!!!
We had a love-hate relationship, where I would cater to her every need, and she'd peck my hand as a "Thank you".....
But 21 days later, I came home to find her off the nest... All that was left was a bunch of empty shells!
She had somehow managed to get her chicks down out of the nest about 18 inches and was underneath the nesting boxes. I could hear the quiet, "cheep, cheep" coming from under her, so I gently moved her wing and out popped a little yellow ball of fluff!
Just as fast as he ran out, it ran right back in again and hid under momma's wing!
Over the next few days I was able to finally get a good count on how many chicks hatched... 12!!!!!
So now I went from having four chickens to 16. They are all doing really well and growing fast! Stay tuned for some updates.
I love watching chicks grow up! It's so exciting to see what colors they keep from mom and what they get from dad. Good luck!
Congratulations on the new chicks.
I am going to need to breed some new chickens next year. Most of my flock are now over 4 years old so some young blood will be needed soon.
Thanks pennsif! That's pretty amazing that you've had them for so long. It seems like chickens find ways to die around my place....
Adorable! May I link this article and feature your username in the next issue of the Weekly Homesteading Newsletter? Let me know as soon as possible! Thanks!
Of course! Thank you!
Hey there! I just wanted to inform you that this article has been featured in the most recent Weekly Homesteading Newsletter! Please check it out if you are interested! Thank you and have a great Sunday!
Great news and bravo to mama hen!
Chickens are the bomb. I was looking forward to chicks but my awesome black cock was mysteriously killed. Twas sad, now I just have to wait for my baby roosters to grow up and for one of my hens to finally go broody. These rhode island red really dont seem to be into it. Anyways, best of luck with your tiny peepers! Im stoked to see em grow!
Oh no, I also lost one of my roosters to a stray dog about a month ago... I was not happy.
I love when you can let your hen hatch her own eggs. It's also fun to use a broody hen to hatch a new breed you want to try. When they go broody, let them set and then order or get the eggs of the breed you want and slip them under her. I am hoping to use my bantam hens to hatch out my new quail eggs, once they go broody. Good luck! I love chickens, it just never gets old seeing them hatch!
OH, and I'm following now, too :)