Three weeks ago, a hen of ours went missing! I was afraid a coyote or hawk had taken her; but I couldn’t find feathers anywhere!
About ten days later, I found her outside the coop in the morning, and I knew she must have made a nest outside of the coop!
Our chickens lay one egg a day and when they want to hatch chicks (which is called “broody”). They want to accumulate at least 8 or 9 ; then they start sitting on them so they all hatch on the same day. We didn’t know she wanted to be “broody”; so we were collecting her eggs! She decided to take matters into her own feet, and hid her eggs outside in the tall grass. I had to hide and watch where she went to find where her eggs were! She was so well-camouflaged, it was hard to see her at all!!!
Well, I was so afraid a predator would get her, I asked the “Backyard Chicken Forum” what to do! They recommended I try to move her at night.
Well, I tried to do that. She would have none of it, and was flinging herself at the coop door in the morning and she went right back to where her eggs had been outside and squawked and squawked ; so I had to put them back where they were. I didn’t know how long she had been off her eggs; so I wasn’t sure they would hatch! This was ten days ago!
I was worried every night, and checked her every morning , and yesterday morning I heard cheeping; and this brave little hen hatched eight chicks!
I moved them into their beautiful own coop built and designed by Radisha!
Happy and safe! This was right after they hatched!
Count them! There are eight!
Isn’t she lovely??
Penelope,
What a wonderful event to share. You’re right those chick are so cute and Mama is beautiful too. Have a great weekend!
That hen is so smart! I’m so glad she was able to get her point across – what an adorable brood, and such a doting mother!
Thank you for sharing Penny!
I love this story…the chicks are darling and what a clever momma! If you move will you live where you can take your chickens?
Karen
Absolutely!! I even had them at our house in Pasadena!!!
A real life fairy tale! Mother Nature & you!
Too wonderful for words.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree, she is one brave and beautiful chicken!
Best,
Liz
I love the color of the coops they look like India!
Our chickens do become part of our families, don’t they?
I worry about them all, as if they were my children, so I completely understand how you must have felt!
I’m so glad your story had such a happy ending. Mom and her chicks are adorable and so lucky to have you.
Meanwhile…Henrietta produced her first egg today. It’s the same color as the walls of your home! I think she’s one of us 🙂
xo
Brooke
Oh, I loved this story! We all need a true happy ending now and again. My goodness, you must have been worried. I love that they are safe inside their very zen Balinese home now. 🙂
Hi Penelope!
I just stumbled upon your lovely blog via Velvet and Linen. I’m a fellow Santa Barbara blogger and chicken lover.
This is just the sweetest post! We only have 4 hens (no roosters) and unfortunately when we have been late getting them into the coop raccoons have gotten several. Your coop and chickens are beautiful.
Happy new reader,
Marina @ http://www.yummymummykitchen.com
Buy some mealworms from grubco.com! just shake that sack….call: chick, chick, chicks! and they will come running! throw the worms toward that back of the coop! (it has to be predator proof or it is cruel to have them….(.sorry) and then shut it! Don’t have chickens if you don;t care deeply about their safety!
They are so fun to have and to watch; they do depend on us to protect them from predators! Our chickens have instincts………believe me I would like to send some high school students to watch how the mommy chickens teach their babies from the second they hatch……..how to survive! They teach them to rush under the bushes….they teach them how to dig for worms…..they teach them to survive. The Mommy chickens teach their babies to survive, within 3 months; chickens can survive on their own……(although they stuff themselves under their mother………so adorable)
There is a lesson here!
This makes me really sad. Call me. 805 969-1110 If you would like help! I have had chickens now for 26 years! 12 years in Pasadena…….14 in Montecito! I can help you!