Chick Watch Week #2:
jordy the hen waits
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Chick Watch Week 2: Jordy the Hen Nests
14 days down, about 7 more days to go! Jordy the Buff Orpington hen is doing a great job sitting on her eggs and protecting her nest. Since we decided take a very hands off approach to this nesting process, there won’t be much excitement until hatch day.
We make sure to check on Jordy twice a day, but otherwise leave her undisturbed. She is doing just what nature intended and her nesting location has worked out extremely well. The other more dominant hens have come over to investigate, but luckily Jordy feels safe and secure under the tree branches. She has also been nice and cool, even during days when the temperature has been quite hot. Overall, she’s in great shape and performing her motherly duties like a champ!
Jordy the hen in her nest
While out feeding the horses one day, we heard a big commotion – squawking, flapping, running, what a scene! It was Jordy! She had decided she was hungry, and needed to take a break from sitting. Every second she was away from the nest, she was a hormonal and worried mother. She was puffed up like a turkey the whole time she was eating! After about 5 or 10 minutes of getting some food, water, and a nice stretch, she quickly made her way back to her nest.
Jordy’s feathered nest
Jordy’s Nest & Health Check
This break from the nest was a great opportunity to observe her and evaluate her overall condition. She looks in good health, and doesn’t seem to have lost much weight at all. While sitting on eggs, a hen puts her body through quite the ordeal, eating and drinking only sparingly. This makes it easy for them to lose weight and become dehydrated. Thankfully, Jordy is in great condition and does not look any worse for the wear.
It was also a great time to go take a peek at the nest! Jordy’s nest contains two fertilized Wheaten Ameraucana eggs (since we have no rooster on the property) that are hopefully developing into beautiful Wheaten Ameraucana chicks.
Have you ever heard the phrase “to feather the nest” ? As you can see, Jordy has done just that! She has plucked a few feathers from her breast to make her nest a little more cozy.
Incubation – Day 14
At this stage of development, our chicks are basically fully formed and are just tiny versions of themselves. They have down covering their entire body, a beak, and claws. Eyelids have developed over their eyeballs. Over the next 7 days, they will continue to grow in size, and utilize the nutrients within the contents of the egg. Did you know, an egg white and egg yolk is the amniotic fluid for a developing chicks? Eggs are very nutrient rich!
Keep an eye on our Facebook page or click on the below links as we post updates on Jordy and her eggs, which hatch into little baby chicks in about a week!