The Chick Lottery

We have a science experiment on the go.  In fact, its more of a biology lesson...or life lesson indeed.
 
Our two bantams - the hens we inherited when we bought the farm - have gone broody.  When we first met them they were very, very skittish and nervous of us.  Up until now they have been pretty full time freeloaders.  We have seen the odd egg or two from either one of them over the eight months we have now been in residence.  Other than that they just eat, poo and scratch about, oh and cause quite a bit of unrest in the coup with our other 4 hens.  On more than one occasion the Ologist and I have decided that we must do something...as in DO something about them.  I can't do that...but I know a man who can.  He would be willing to dispatch them, so long as I could give a fair and honest reason as to why.
 
Anyhow, it looks as if the bantams have given themselves a massive 'stay' of youknowhat as they are both broody.  One of my neighbours has a yard full of hens and cockerels and has told me on more than one occasion that if we ever get a broody hen we should come to her for eggs.  So we did.
 
Like I need any more animals to look after? 
 
The small girl is fully on board with the project and has helped all the way.  She carefully marked the fertilised eggs we collected and helped me push them under each of the hens as soon as we got them home.
 
It has sparked many questions of the birds and the bees which has been covered many times in the past, and discussed openly, with illustrated pictures in books etc...but there's nothing like real live action to cement the ideals. 
 
Our first morning we were devastated.  The broody hens had jumped off the fertilised eggs and onto the freshly laid ones by our existing hens.  While I was assured that bantams make the best hen mummies, and that the bantams will do all the work in incubating the fertilised eggs and raising the chicks, I hadn't seen that coming. 
 
Immediate action was required so we have set up a makeshift nursery using a large animal crate, two shoeboxes and a quiet stable in the ponies' barn.  I carried the bantams one by one while the small girl collected up the marked eggs and placed them in their new nesting boxes.  The bantams are now installed in their temporary home, with water and food and lots of straw.  They can't be disturbed or distracted by the other hens, and even the cats - who needless to say are very interested - can't get into the crate.
 
We have 19 days to wait.
 
We have no idea how many, if any, will hatch.
 
We are told its highly likely that over 50% will be cocks.  In which case I won't need to buy myself a new alarm clock afterall. Its a Chick Lottery.
 
All I can say is watch this space...and forward me any instructions you may have asap!
 
Oh and PS:  the puppy has settled well and is off to his first Puppy Party this week.
 






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