Saturday, October 6, 2012

Unto Us A Chick Is Born...

It was early. Chilly. The coldest morning we've had in months, in fact. I hadn't had coffee.

I was in my pajama pants, trying to move quietly toward the hen house but still making a ruckus- crunchy leaves have blown into my little barn, pine shavings have littered out, a tin bucket had fallen from a nail and gotten in my path. So I couldn't hear that little cheep cheep cheep coming from under Hephzibah's feathers.

Wow, was it chilly. I filled the chicken feeder, checked on everyone, tossed them handfuls of grass, and went back in.

But today is the day. It takes chicken eggs 21 days to hatch, give or take how ambitious the chick is. And today is Day 21. Eight eggs... three weeks... and today's the day.
 
 
Millie and I went back out to check a little while later. And to my amazement, in the back of the nesting box, a miracle: a tiny, already fluffed-out chick!

I screeched, jumped up and down, and went into a flurry of action: Mama, unhatched eggs, and chick went from the nesting box into my make-shift brooder. Although I've heard not to handle chicks as the Mama won't want them with your smell all over them- I took a chance. I dipped the little one's beak in the electrolyte water and pecked at the chick mash so it would take note.

Four hours later, the little one is already eating chick mash and playing on Hephzibah. And the countdown for the remaining little ones is on. 

From our cozy little place to yours, have a great weekend! -Brin

7 comments:

ancient one said...

My husband has hatched chicks in my dining room before. He used an incubator. We were able to call our grandson, and he came over to watch the chicks hatch. The miracle of life never gets boring. Enjoy your little chicks!!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

how exciting!
We tried to do that over the summer.
No chicks.

I'm so proud for you! yay!

Pat

myletterstoemily said...

hurray for you and the sweet baby chick!

16 Chickens said...

Can chickens smell? And if they can, they probably like your scent, you bring the food. :) Congrats, Brin, on the new little life.

Unknown said...

I miss raising chicks, so happy you get to experience this exciting thing!!

Stacy said...

ooohhhhh, i am so excited for you. i feel i was there from your description. thank you for sharing brin!

xo,stacy

Stacy said...

ooohhhhh, i am so excited for you. i feel i was there from your description. thank you for sharing brin!

xo,stacy