Remember the baby chick I wrote about a couple of days ago – the one that hatched all alone in a nest in the woods, and the Phoenix hen adopted? She’s doing really well.
Here she is next to one of the Phoenix mama’s original chicks.
Still so tiny. But see the little chocolate colored chick right next to mama in that picture? Well, that little chick was today’s surprise. I was sitting in my office working with my window open and I kept hearing a baby chirping very loudly. I figured one of the new chicks got separated from one of the mamas. Imagine my surprise when I went into the run to find a baby chick that was obviously only a few hours old. She could hardly stand up without falling over. And she was so cold she was shivering. Yet *another* egg had hatched out from that nest in the woods. And that mama Hamburg is so busy with her other five, she will not be held back by a new baby.
We put the baby under a heat lamp for a bit, and when she warmed up I held her for quite a while. Eventually I saw mama Hamburg laying in the run with her babies under her, so I sneaked out there and slipped the new chick under her too and hoped for the best.
A while later I went outside to check on her, but that mama Hamburg and her five babies were no where to be seen. That new baby chick? She had apparently been adopted by the Phoenix mama.
I removed all remaining eggs from that nest. I hated to do it, but babies hatching from it at this point are clearly at a high risk of not making it. I am astounded that two have hatched with no one on the nest except at night. Mama Hamburg is not going to care for any more chicks, and that sweet mama Phoenix has her wings full.
Thirteen baby chicks and four teenagers running around the yard cheeping warms my heart. But knowing half of these are probably cockerels does not. I do not plan to let any more broodies set on eggs this year.
Please pray I can be strong.
Your Phoenix Hens are super mamas.
Wishing you lots of luck on no more babies.
Aww that’s a great story.
Those are so cute.
Goodness, you have good ears for those stray babies.
I wonder what color a chocolate baby grows up to be. I’ve never seen one quite that dark before.
I love your momma Phoenix–foster momma of the year!
That’s amazing that those two eggs still hatched! Sweet little things…glad you were able to warm up that last little one.
As I’m reading your tally on all the additional new babies you have, I’m wondering in the back of my mind whether there’s a 12-step program for chicken addiction… LOL
Awwww, Penny how sweet! I love how you care for your girls! You’re the best! I also love reading about you and your adventures with them ;0) I’m with CeeCee I can’t wait to see what the chocolate one turns out to look like. Love Ya!
Wow! Isn’t that just amazing? It makes me wonder about all the stress with incubator hatches. Just look at those 2 chicks … they were not kept at the proper temp or humidity during their version of “lock down” and they made it! How cool is that?!?
Charlotte – Aren’t those Phoenix’s the best??? I just love them!
Angie and Cristy – thank you!
CeeCee – When Bernie got ready to build my coop he had picked out a few areas in the backyard, but I told him I wanted it in the FRONT yard. My office is in the front of the house, and I’m there at least 8 hours each work day. I wanted to be able to SEE my chickens. Unless it’s freezing cold outside, I open my office window. When my chickens make any unusual noises during the day, I know it. Between me and Duke, we’ve pretty much got them covered
Farmgirl – *sigh* Even BERNIE is running a tally this year! I was shocked to hear him talking to Tex on the phone this week and mention the exact number of chicks I have this year. When he hung up I said “I can’t believe you know how many babies I have” and he said “Danged straight – I’m tired of being in the dark around this place!” Ha! He still can’t tell me the total count of all chickens though…… and that’s the way I like it!
Julie – You’re too sweet. I’m excited to see what that chocolate one turns out looking like too! I have no clue what kind of mix this one is. That’s the joy of mutts!
Stacey – I know, right? I fret over my broodies all the time. They leave the nest when I’m sure they shouldn’t. They get on the wrong nest and leave their eggs cold in 20 degree weather. They do everything *wrong* according to all I’ve read. And yet, they hatch out perfect babies each time. It just amazes me. Broody mamas are a work of perfection, no doubt. I hope I always have at least one good broody and never have to use an incubator. They are just the best.
Geez have you been busy!! I had to get caught up with your chicken adventures! lol
I’m loving your little chocolate chip. How sweet is it to witness all of that sheer determination and will to live!
You got a fantastic photo of your Hamburg in that other photo. What a beauty she is!
this is just to sweet for words…
x
Ha! I was just gonna say something like danni did….I think you need a chick intervention.
Im glad tho that you heard that new little chick and were able to come to the rescue.
I do believe tho that Bernie has the right idea….he needs to keep that tally going..and keep it current. Bernie, dont worry. Were here to step in if you decide an intervention is necessary.
have a question for you Penny: Do you worry at all about what the babies eat? I have thirteen 8-week olds that I need to integrate with my flock of 8 but I’m fretting over who gets the Layer feed and who needs the Grower/Finisher feed. Any advice?
And thanks so much for sharing so much about your chickens and homestead. It’s such a joy to read!
Hey KimL – I put medicated chick feed in the brooder with them when they are first born and mama teaches them to eat and drink. But when they leave the brooder they stop eating the baby food and go straight to layer feed as soon as they can eat the pellets. I used to worry myself to death over it, but all my baby chicks – even the cockerels – eat layer feed and they have all turned out just fine. They do also free range though.
If you are really worried about the 8 week olds getting the layer feed, you can switch the whole flock over to Flock Raiser until they come of age – just be sure to leave oyster shell out for the layers. Hope that helps. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment
Thanks Penny! That really does help a lot. Thanks so much.
wow! incredible that they hatched! i have one crazy hen who wont brood on just one nest – she just goes for nest box to next box. i tried to put her in a brooder but she just goes nuts. i wish i could get her to sit on turkey eggs.. crazy hen!
Oh, coming over here is making me miss baby chicks this year. We haven’t hatched any out, as we lost our rooster last year. We have a new one but he is young so I thought it pointless. Your babies are beautiful!!!!
Wow! They have their wings full
And you know you love them…hehe. I love how your FB page says “Where did all these chickens come from??” LMAO!