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| Where does all that cheeping come from? |
We had to move mama hen and her eggs to another location because her nest was infested with mites. We dusted her and the eggs with diatomaceous earth. Stressed by the move she abandoned her eggs.
Sadly we took them home and placed them upon our gas stove. The pilot lights remained on providing warmth to the eggs. This was not an easy task as at times the stove got so hot from all the cooking or too cool in the evenings. We thought we had lost them.
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| The egg is cracking open |
Until early one morning when I came downstairs to prepare breakfast and I heard this beautiful cheeping song. Excitedly I ran out to call the boys and these are the photos of the first few hours of our little chick being born. Two others followed soon after.
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| It's opened |
She cheeped and cheeped and pushed and pushed...
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| She's pushing herself out |
The boys couldn't help peeling a few pieces of the shell..... then she pushed herself out
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| Almost |
She was curled up in a damp ball.
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| The Head |
Sania's little hand stroking her head.
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| A Wooly Nest |
We brought out a little wool nest I previously felted.
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| Keeping her cosy |
and cradled her to keep her warm.
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| Sasha with little chick |
To let her know she is loved.
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| Warm Chick |
Sweet tender hands amazed by this beautiful miracle.
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| Learning to Stand |
Leaving her to explore.
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| Fun with the little chicks |
Playing daddy to all the chicks.
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| Out in the garden |
These little chicks are so beautiful and run to us for food as if we are their mama hen. It would have been nicer for them to have their mama's comfort, easier for them to find their way and explore the world with more safety. At the moment they roam in a small open cage kept in the garden during the day and we bring them into the kitchen at night. In a few more days I think they will be able to join some of the bigger chicks and explore on their own.
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| Feeding older chicks |
These are older chicks we had a few weeks ago. They have become quite tame and enjoy being fed by the boys as much as the boys enjoy feeding them.
Oh my goodness. This is SUCH an incredible post. Why am I so teary? Birth. Such a powerful force. How uplifting that the chicks survived and are thriving. Thank you. For sharing the wonders of life. So beautiful.
ReplyDeletethese are gorgeous images ... such a special time!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so happy they made it! There is such sweetness and life on your farm Jeanene! And we are so looking forward to seeing you and your sweet family again soon!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Oh my heavens! That is the sweetest post! I couldn't help but hold my breath as I went from photo to photo hoping they would make it, and to see your boys so tenderly caring for these little chicks is just priceless. What a gift you are giving your children. You are a blessed mother.
ReplyDeleteYour farm life really offers your boys such amazing life experiences! And how amazing that you were able to save these little eggs and they hatched just fine... right in your kitchen! So much sweetness in these pictures :)
ReplyDeleteJust so precious, Jeanene!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that you were able to save those chicks! The boys look like they are wonderful caregivers to the wee chicks. <3
ReplyDeleteAgain, what a sweet surprise for you and your boys!! I am so very glad that some of the eggs would up hatching! And that you got to capture it all for us to see! Just magical. :)Lisa
ReplyDeleteThat is TOO fabulous!!!! What a great surprise. I don't normally use the word 'special', but that is truly a special experience. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing!! Chicks are just unique! Another wonderful experience on your beautiful farm!
ReplyDeleteOh, J - how I love to read your life. The boys are so gentle with creatures, and every single bit of small life is a celebration for you all. I send my love and gratitude to rain down on you like a fall of green light. Lucky chicks to find the world so beautiful - to have found themselves in your hands.
ReplyDeleteI just love baby chickens....so soft and fluffy :-)
ReplyDeletePS my mare is home and the healing is coming along slowly, I feel fairly confident that we have turned a corner with her...I don't want to go thru that again! Both emotionally and financially :-(
What joy!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great experience.
Our children are begging to get a rooster so we can do this at some point. I told them when our new barn is up and we can set aside a separate area.....
Warm wishes,
Tonya
Oh, the precious beginnings of Life! Whether it be human or feathered or furried, it is AMAZING! Your photos are wonderful, capturing this sweetest of moments with your beautiful boys. I look forward to our own flock...maybe this summer. Happy weekending to you:)
ReplyDeletexo Jules
What a wonderful, magical experience for your boys! love, Beth
ReplyDeleteLove this post...my three year old loved looking at all the adorable pictures. Thanks so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise.... how wonderful life is. I can imagine how amazed Sania and Sasha were to see this precious little chick....What a delight for any child.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! So great that you let us enjoy these special moments, too. We just started an egg unit and I’m sure the children will love seeing your pictures. Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteThis must be one of your most beautiful posts yet Jeanene, and that is really saying something! I love that you had a little felted nest all ready. And what a wonderful welcome to the world provided by Sasha and Sania. Just amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet! I'm so glad you were able to save them. What a great experience.
ReplyDeletewow, what a wonderful suprise that they hatched! This post is so beautiful
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning pics Jeanene! Love the expressions on the boys' faces as they handle the newly hatched chicks!
ReplyDeletei don't know how i missed this post - but i just read the latest and now this one. what a wonderful story you have about these little chicks and how they came into the world and now have an adoptive hen mama. how magical that your boys got to be the bridge from egg to mama hen. they're so loving. this post makes me want to live on a farm. i suppose we could just have a big yard one day with some chickens! : )
ReplyDelete[...] If you are in the mood for mustering up some Easter spirit for next weekend I highly recommend an incredibly beautiful post on my friend Jeanene’s website, Earth Boys. She has such an extraordinary, inspirational and [...]
ReplyDeleteQuelle chance! nous n'avons encore jamais eu la chance d'avoir des naissances à la maison...on dit qu'en ce moment, c'est la saison des amours..! Nous verrons bien! tes enfants ont beaucoup de chance de vivre une si belle vie au milieu de la nature et des animaux! Vivement que nous ayons une ferme nous aussi! Bisous à tous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! How amazing for you and your family. We are raising chicks for the first time this spring and it has been a marvelous adventure for us.
ReplyDelete