Sunday 22 March 2015

Surprise Babies!

Hello from a sunny but chilly Derbyshire.
A warm welcome to Annie, UnDomesticDiva (great name) and LilaCottageGoats and Bonjour to Frugal in France who have clicked the Follower button and Edith and Jean Schofield on Blog lovin. Lovely to see you here.
Anyone who has kept hens knows the sound of a broody leaving the nest for "the daily poo". She squawks and runs around like a maniac, deposits the most enormous smelly poo, she might have a dust bath or drink and returns as soon as possible to her clutch.
Last week we heard this sound in the front garden, identified the hen and watched her return to a clutch of eggs against the wall of the house next to the gas meter. This wall is about twelve feet from the main road and it is possible that everyone in the village but us knew she was there ! We had no idea how long she had been there, but the eggs looked pretty shiny (not freshly laid) We have had very little rain, but the nights have been cold, but she seemed pretty comfy. I placed a board against the wall to provide some sort of cover and ensured that I left food and water next to her.
On Friday the Gas man called to read the meter. "It's outside" I said "I'll come with you". "No need" he said "I'll manage". I insisted and ensured that he was quiet and careful, as I realigned the wood so that he could open the box. he said that he had never encountered such a thing before and went away chuckling.
 This morning I took some water and food to her and knew straight away that she was not talking to me, but to chicks with the special hen-to-chick speak. I immediately changed her water bowl for a shallow bowl ( I think I have lost more chicks to drowning in water bowls than any other cause) and found some chick crumbs to add to the hen food. As hens sit for 21 days she must have been there for two weeks before we spotted her!
 So the first job for us today is to get a small ark ready for her and the chicks, so that they can be kept safe. Our cat Dixie doesn't touch chicks, but she isn't the only cat in the village!
 All for now. Photos later
Gillx

14 comments:

  1. That's a really lovely story, Gill, do please post a chicky photo :-) I would love some chooks but don't live in an appropriate home. I must get my fix from looking at yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pictures just posted !
      A happy ending to this story I am pleased to say.

      Delete
  2. Wonderful. A sure sign that spring is on it's way on your side of the planet :)

    Love the header pic, by the way :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly is. A lovely time of year, but very tiring!.
      The picture is of our house.

      Delete
  3. I always think there is something so much more exciting about chicks that appear like this - naturally so to speak - than those born in an incubator. So congratulations Mrs Hen, hope you bring off the whole clutch and that they all survive to lay eggs (not the cockerels of course who,byy the sheer sod's law will be more numerous than the hens).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nine isn't a bad clutch.I think chicks have a much better start with their mothers too Weave. Mother nature usually insists on more cocks than hens.. watch this space.

      Delete
  4. How lovely for you. Looking forward to the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We don't have a cockerel because of the campsite, so no chicks here - shame. But many years ago we had some banties and bantam cock and one appeared one day with 4 littlies behind her. Our nephew aged about 5 was with us that day and excitingly told my sister when she came to collect him that one of our chickens had babies " and they didn't even know she was pregnant!!" made us all giggle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bless him a perfectly reasonable thing to say I think!
      This is the first time a hen has got so far without us knowing.
      Spring has deffo sprung Sue.

      Delete
  6. Gill, now fun! Seems an odd time of year to hatch chicks, but chickens know best! Here's hoping they are mostly pullets. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes we have our fingers crossed, but it's sods law that most will be cocks.
      It is a little early for chicks, but not too much.

      Delete
  7. That's a good start to the year .. how nice .. I do love fluffy little chicks.

    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are SO pretty aren't they? and yes we do seem to be having a good start. I really need to find time for the gardens now.
      x

      Delete