Our New Baby

I would love to be able to post a picture of our new little one, but it is hiding underneath its mother/caregiver and giving us barely a peek. One of our unspecified black hens has been diligently setting on 3 eggs for the past several weeks and, while we didn't hold out much hope of new life, we decided to mark the eggs (in case any new ones were laid in the meantime) and see what happened.

When I went out to do chores this morning, I found her in her usual place - firmly ensconced in the farthest nesting box. As I reached under her to see if there were any extra eggs, I heard a peeping noise which was definitely not coming from her throat. It took me a second to realize what it was. Our very first hatchling! We've had so many hens over the years that have been fair-weather setters that I'd given up all ideas of ever actually raising chickens. Most modern hens have had the broodiness bred out of them, but occasionally there will be a mutant who will stick with the task.

We've tried to get a better look at the little one throughout the day, but the hen is keeping it well tucked away. It's a grey and light yellow fluffball with definite ideas about visitors. I guess we need to set up a ramp for it since the nesting boxes are elevated and I don't want any suicidal chicks teetering on ledges when it decides to make a foray into the coop.

There are two more eggs under her, so we'll see if they hatch as well. I guess if she's going to be a reliable setter we'll need to keep her well supplied with eggs. Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to BUY more chicks?