After ending up with so many roosters last year we still had a few open spots available for layers. Because it was so late in the summer we decided that we would wait until this spring to get chicks again.
A week or so ago we found Black (I know, creative right?!) all nestled into a nest box brooding away on some plastic Easter eggs! We had already ordered EEs and were just waiting for them to come in. Could it get any more perfect?
The only problem was that she had only been broody for a little over a week when the chicks got here and everything I read online said they needed to sit through about 3 weeks before putting day old chicks under her. Several of the same sources said it didn’t have to be an exact amount of time because hens couldn’t tell the difference. So…if they can’t tell the difference, why wait? We didn’t.
We started out with 4, but 2 didn’t make it through the first night. We don’t know if they were sick or tired from their trip or if Mama here just though she only needed two but here we are.
We decided to let Black raise them for a couple of reasons but mostly because it would mean less work for us. It’s beginning to break up here and I have enough poop scooping and ice chipping to keep me plenty busy.
Black is plenty protective of her two little girls (everyone cross your fingers!) and hardly lets them out even to eat! I know they are still babies and they can survive on what they got from the yolk but they really do love to eat and drink on their own.
It has been pretty awesome to watch nature at work. They are two happy, healthy little chicks who love to snuggle under their “mother” and she is happy to have them!
