Oct 3, 2012

co parenting


yesterday they hatched, they are so tiny, and extremely cute.

 I had two hens sitting in separate nests for the past three weeks
Had set them about three weeks ago

I had been away for a day or so helping a friend milk goats
and went to let the chickens out when I got home, to hear the chirping of new chicks coming from the other pen.
It was a surprise to see the two hens had moved in together
And I think I counted seven new chicks.


They are still have several eggs to hatch and so they are dedicated to staying on their nests at the moment.  I had this happen last year as well, two hens with chicks hatched around the same time co-parenting together, and it seems to work well, until the chicks are bigger and then one of the parents dominates the other one and takes on the full parenting roll.  I just let them sort it out and think its best not to interfere.  They know whats best.

It was a cold night last night and so the nest was transported up into  a makeshift pen in our main room. 

Have come home with lots and lots of garden cuttings and plants from my friends garden and so today will be spent planting artichoke, celery, horseradish, and more.

In between all of this I managed to do a little stitch here and there, but not that much.



today I have a good friend coming to collect some dye plants,  and we are also going to cook bread, looking forward to an enjoyable day in the sunshine followed by a fresh home grown dinner.

the stitching will progress tomorrow.



14 comments:

Deb G said...

Oh they are adorable! Looks like you are keeping busy.

deanna7trees said...

loving this post. cute little chicks and they all look so cozy.

Els said...

Ahhhh they are só cute, I can almost hear them chirping ....
Great to care for the babies with a trustful friend !!!
I lóve your stitching !!!!!!!!!

Annette said...

They are so cute, and clever... I'm surprised...
hugs

Tammie Lee said...

so cute, yep they are.
your stitching looks much like our autumn grasses

Lisa said...

sounds like a perfectly lovely day in the life....
hope you are well..
i like your stitches.. reminds me that i need to find some time to do the same.
enjoy your chicks... they grow up fast!

t said...

yep always busy deb, plenty to do in spring

thanks deanna they are so tiny

they are clever girls thats for sure els

thanks annette, have had them co-parent before, but one of the hens was terribly bossy, these two seem better.

yes, not sure where this stitching is heading now tammie lee

it has taken me sometime to get back into it lisa, it was good to have a break too.

xt



kaiteM said...

Love the co-parenting, so sensible. Your new garden cuttings will be interesting to grow. So much here, all self sustaining.

Martine said...

Looks wonderful T............
XXXm

t said...

thanks kaite, yes all self sustaining, its nice.

thanks martine

xt

Yvette said...

ooo wowie..the little chickens in your room..how did betty react?
and the stichtching. ttttt keep on going this beauty

t said...

thanks yvette

xt

Maria said...

What a perfect day! I like your dramatic stitching... moving slowly into fall here. The sunlight is slanting further and further down.

t said...

a low sun allows more warmth to come in through the windows. good for cooler days...
xt