I'm having a chicken- chick tale unfolding right now!
Recently (about 21 days ago) two of my hens went broody. Over the past 3 weeks, Fancy and Honey have been dedicated brooders. It wasn't planned of course, so I have no idea how many of those eggs they are laying on are actually fertile.
This is my first time having chicks, so I don't really know what to do. I'm worrying if I should get some heat lamps, etc. for the chicks when they arrive. My much more informed about chicken matters, DH tells me to just let them be and let nature take it's course.
Today, I was soooo excited when I heard chirping coming from the coop. I peek in there but I can't see anything, I can only hear there is chirping coming from under the hens.
A little while later, I hear noisy commotion out there. I run to see what's the problem. As I approach I see Fancy and Honey, the two brooders are squawking and flapping, freaking out really. As I get closer, I see a cute little orange chick is running towards them, chirping and they are freaking out, flapping and trying to kick the little chick away, as if they are scared to death of this little chick coming towards them! What??? So I pick the little chick up because I'm afraid for its life. Then I see another little, black and white chick is upsidedown, at the edge of the coop, kicking its little legs. OMG! It looks injured! So, by now, here comes hubby. He just arrived from out of town! The two hens are still screaming and carrying on, all of the rest of the flock have dissappeared, no where to be seen. I tell him the hens are acting like they are scared of the chicks!! ??
Fast forward, now the little chicks are in a container in the spare bedroom. Look how cute!!!
The two broody hens are back on the rest of the eggs?
Now, let's see how round two goes!
Please tell me it will get better! I've already decided they were unprepared for motherhood. Now the next hatchlings won't be as scary and soon everything will be okay and we can mingle those first two chicks back with the flock.
