Guess what I've got in the house again?
BABY CHICKS!!!
I kept my word and have not incubated any eggs but my Cochin hens have been quite busy setting in the nest boxes in the chicken barn.
I was going to try letting the hens raise any chicks that hatched but there were two chicks last week that I found dead on the second or third day after hatching. I think it's just too cold out for them to survive. Especially since my nest boxes are raised. If a chick leaves the nest box ~ which it has to do in order to get food and water ~ there's no way it can get back in. And if Mama hen is still setting on more eggs, the first ones to hatch will most certainly die.
So, I brought these two in and will continue to do so with any more that hatch.
This little goof, immediately fell into the water dispenser but then proceeded to teach her sibling how to drink from it.
I love this photo of the black chick standing in front of the heat lamp.
I swear she's drying her breast feathers!
This morning, the babies are doing great.
They're eating and drinking and love to snuggle into the folds of the towel in the container I'm using for a brooder.
I have to admit:
It's nice having babies in the house again!
With three cats also in and out of the house, it's a good thing Sable is hard at work guarding her newest flock members...
"...sigh! A girl's work is never done! "
Oh Nancy, they are adorable!!! I have baby ducks in the house right now too-same scenario as yours. It is fun having the little ones in to snuggle and nurture :)
ReplyDeleteGood on Sable! :-)
ReplyDeleteCute little chickies. :-)
Too cute, though I'm glad I'm waiting for April for my chicks - with 18 inches of snow on the ground and more expected, I'd never get winter chicks out of the house. BTW, do you vaccinate your chicks for Merek's? Also, do you feed chick starter with a coccidostat?
ReplyDeleteToo cute!!
ReplyDeleteI just love baby chicks. Makes me long for spring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful handful! Sable is quite a girl!!!
ReplyDeleteNancy in Iowa
Oh they are cute, great pictures, love the pic of the little one under the heat lamp sunning itself.
ReplyDeleteDarling! Maybe she is looking up and praying thanks for her "new" home and heat!
ReplyDeleteWith our temps, I'm afraid they'd die while under momma at this time of the year!
There's nothing better than having baby chicks in the house! My poodle guards the babies too! It's so funny to watch her run at the cats if they get too close to the brooder :-)
ReplyDelete