Chick Watch Week #3:
jordy’s chicks hatched!
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Chick Watch Week 3: Jordy’s Chicks Hatched
The major pro of having our broody hen Jordy sit on eggs and hatch chicks: she does all the work. The major con of having our broody hen sit on eggs and hatch chicks: you might miss out on all the excitement! It’s a good thing we had our calendar marked with an approximate hatch day for our two Wheaten Ameraucana eggs, otherwise we’d still have no idea that the chicks were free from their eggs and out in the world!
When we did our evening check up on Jordy, she was being extra grouchy and protective of her nest, growling at us and biting us as we tried to check on the eggs underneath her. So much so that we couldn’t get a good look at the eggs. We almost walked away before we noticed tiny little “peeps” sounding off, and a little yellow head poked out for a split second. The chicks had already hatched!
We didn’t actually have visible confirmation that both eggs had hatched for about 24 hours. We only knew we had at least 1 chick. It took two of us to move Jordy just enough to get a peek at our new hatchlings. Two healthy, fuzzy, little yellow chicks! Of course we were disappointed that we didn’t get to witness the miracle of birth, but happy to see that the chicks were already dry, scooting around, and comfortably tucked in the warm blanket of mama’s wings.
Jordy the hen & her 2 cute chicks
Jordy keeps a close eye on her new chicks
Jordy the Protective Hen
Jordy is certainly a proud mother, and deserves some kind of award for her fiercely protective, helicopter-mom style. She is in constant communication with her babies, and is always on the lookout for intruders. We can only get within 5 feet of them before she puffs up and gives her chicks the cue to stop exploring and come seek protection under her wings.
She even attacked our poor dog when he came over for a harmless, curious look and sniff at the new additions. There is no doubt that these chicks will be safe in her care!
Slowly but surely, mama will lead her babies further and further from the nest, and teach them about life outside. She will teach them to scratch and find food, take them over to the water bowl for a refreshing drink, and show them how to take a nice dust bath.
Jordy and her chicks will remain separated from the rest of the flock for a while, until she is comfortable enough to introduce them. Given Jordy’s ultra-protective instincts, this could take a while!
Chicks that are raised outside by a hen, rather than inside in a brooder, generally mature more quickly. They shed their baby down and grow in feathers faster, they grow in size faster, and since they aren’t under the light of an artificial heat lamp 24/7, their sleep cycles are more regulated by natural light. Plus, they get the added benefits of getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. They also learn better social skills because of the teachings of their mother, and can integrate into the adult flock fairly seamlessly.
Keep checking back, as we document how these two chicks as they grow and mature in to adult birds! Will they be hens or roosters? Let’s find out together!