We've earned our keep today - we have baby chicks

@JudyEv (381806)
Rockingham, Australia
January 19, 2023 6:27pm CST
Once again, I feel we’ve earned our keep at this house-sit, not that we charge anything anyway. I posted a photo of two hens sitting on some guinea fowl eggs. We were warned they might hatch while the owners were away. Well, hatch they did and this morning we put one hen in a small pen with two chicks while the other hen is still on the eggs hoping to hatch more no doubt. The hen wasn’t happy about being moved and we were glad we had gloves. Vince was able to get some photos. Many chicks hatch out in these ‘camouflage’ colours and become recognisable as a particular breed later when the true feathers come through. You might be able to see the intricate detail on the hen’s feathers. We only have two more sleeps here so I hope we can keep them safe that long. The heat should be the only problem. They’re forecasting 33C today.
15 people like this
15 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (174214)
• United States
20 Jan 23
It sounds almost like you and Vince are the broody ones. I'm surprised the hen didn't take a finger or two off for you or Vince, whichever one of you actually moved her. They get mean if you move them off their eggs.
3 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174214)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@JudyEv You've got it wrong, Judy.... Hide Vince's gloves and then have him pick the chickens up.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
@DaddyEvil I wouldn't do that! I'm a nice, kind person.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
The hens are off the ground. One had gone to the ground and called down two chicks. We put on gloves to pick her up and put her in a small pen. Then we put the chicks in with her. But the other hen has chicks under her too. We'll try tonight to get more chickens in with the first hen while the second one carries on hatching. We had quite strong glovesbut you're right. They do get mean.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jan 23
I've always thought that all chicken chicks were yellow ..... shows ya what I know
3 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117199)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jan 23
I remember my dad's dad raising chicks but all of them were yellow.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
@rebelann The adults would have been white I think.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
It depends on the breed. Many bantams are born with this colouring but you do get black, yellow and white ones.
3 people like this
rsa101
@rsa101 (40952)
• Philippines
20 Jan 23
Thats amazing to witness them hatch from their egg and come out as chicks I have not witnessed something like that and just see the chicks out already.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
It is like a small miracle to see them push their way out of the nest then to get on their feet and start moving around. The eggs took nearly a month to hatch.
3 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
20 Jan 23
The photos he took are precious.
3 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@JudyEv They are pretty chickens.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
Thanks. I like the chick on the hen's back but the other photo is lovely too.
3 people like this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Jan 23
The chicks are cute. They should be fine
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
I think they should be okay. We've put water and chick pellets in for them and the mum is very attentive.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Jan 23
The hens feathers are so intricate and that baby chick is a beauty too.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
The feathers are just amazing. Each one so pretty.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
@RubyHawk It is indeed.
1 person likes this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
21 Jan 23
@JudyEv The lowly hen is a beautiful bird.
1 person likes this
popciclecold
@popciclecold (40215)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Aww. They are so cute. The mother looks gigantic. Lol. Nice photo. Thanks.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
She is all fluffed up to cover the eggs and chicks.
2 people like this
popciclecold
@popciclecold (40215)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@JudyEv Oh, ok. I was wondering. Lol.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
21 Jan 23
Did the one with two chicks had more to hatch?. Like the way she is looking at her baby who is on top of her.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
Yes, she brought out a couple more chicks. They are attentive mothers.
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
25 Jan 23
Living it up with the chucks you were.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan 23
They've occupied a bit of our time lately.
1 person likes this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (148720)
• Roseburg, Oregon
20 Jan 23
I thought you got paid when you house sit. The chick is beautiful.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
You can take it on as a paid position but we've only done it for friends or friends of friends so we don't ask for payment.
2 people like this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (56195)
• Canada
20 Jan 23
That is exciting, great pictures.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
It's exciting to find little chicks have hatched out.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
20 Jan 23
The chicks are so cute. You can be an aunt to them! lololol
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
True. Those chicks now hve a doting aunt and uncle.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
20 Jan 23
Look at those babies. How cute are they. My cousin has chickens and he and his son really enjoy them. Fresh eggs are always nice to have these days. The prices are crazy in the stores.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
At the last couple of house-sits we've been really spoilt for eggs. They are quite expensive here but I don't think there is a shortage of them.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
21 Jan 23
@JudyEv The prices are insane here. I hope that changes soon.
1 person likes this
M Cheung
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
20 Jan 23
The baby chicks are so cute. Nice photo.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
Thanks. Little chicks are very cute.
2 people like this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Jan 23
Instead of "Hop on Pop" it's Hop on surrogate mom.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381806)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 23
I love seeing this. Sometimes you see lambs or goats on top of their mums too.
1 person likes this