As a birthday gift to myself I ordered hatching eggs (of course). They were shipped to me and on the same day I put them in the incubator, my hen Pumpkin went broody for the second time this year. So, I put about 10 eggs under her as well.
If you remember, Pumpkin was one of the very first chicks on the “farm”. We bought her from our local farmer’s co-op and the boys named her pumpkin.
Later that summer she started laying and has laid all throughout the year, taking a break only to molt, though she always showed broody tendencies. I was very hopeful.
She did go broody in April and successfully raised 3 chicks. So the thoughts kept floating through my head during the 21 day incubation, would she raise all the chicks that I hatch? So I wouldn’t have to worry with setting up a brooder, messing with the heat lamp and cleaning it out and all that mess.
Seems logical she would, but some chickens will not accept new chicks. In fact, most won’t. It’s kind of risky, because you don’t know until it’s too late (ie: dead chicks).
As hatching approached, Pumpkin hatched 3 chicks on her own and I moved her to a safe pet carrier, where I snuck more and more chicks out under her. She would cluck each time in almost a surprised voice, but then would go back to her smooth happy cluck.
You can see the look of shock in her eye, like where the heck did all these chicks come from.
All 21 chicks, safely tucked in, under and around her.
I think I should call her Big Mama.
It’s been almost a week since the hatch and she is happily taking care of all the chicks, it’s the sweetest thing ever.
And no work for me.
What an excellent Mama, she will always have a home at my “farm”.
She’s like a kind orphanage matron. So cute!
Now, what are you going to do with 21 chicks?!
That’s great! You have a nice variety of color. My family had chickens when I was a teenager, but we had too many raccoons around for many of them to last long.
Hello the last auction on eBay that I won was for 8+ and you sent 18 well they hatched last night I got 16 chicks they look a lot like the chicks in your pictures!!!! Thank you. Doug
@Mindee@ourfrontdoor, Ha, yes, good question!!
@Amanda, Oh no, sorry to hear about the raccoon problem, my biggest predator as of lately is the neighbors dog, ugh!!
Wow! She’s a great mommy!!!
have you sexed them. as you have determined that 3 of my 4 are roosters, i am going to need some girls lol
I love your chicken posts…I’m living out my farm wife aspirations though you. 😉
Oh how wonderful. My broody hen Millie’s first attempt at 3 failed but she was bound and determined to hatch something, wooden eggs, anything! So I gave her 7 more and let her go again. They all look to be developing good and are due in the the next week. Of course she stole 4 more while we were on vacation and started them as well, they will go in the incubator and hopefully I can sneak them in with hers when they hatch about a week later than the rest. Go Big Mama!
Oh!!!! What a fun fun fun post! So sweet! I can’t believe how big pumpkin has gotten! What a good mommie.