Just thought I'd post an update. My extremely broody momma has done well and yesterday the first chicks hatched! 21 days would have been Wednesday morning so a couple of them are a little early I guess. She freaked out about the first chick and tried to kill it. I brought it in to our incubator and let it keep warm and dry out in there. Then, we watched (so fun!) and last night as she heard more and more peeping under her, she seemed to start to understand and began talking back to them. She also got really interested in tidying up her nest, pulling all the straw up tight and doing a lot of grooming. Late last night, about 8 hours after the first chick hatched, we brought him back out and slipped him under her. If there is such a thing as "chicken love", we have now seen it. She took him in and put him under her and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

There are 3 chicks now, all dry and fluffed out and appear to be perfect. 6 more eggs to go and at least a couple of them are pipped. I didn't look too hard this morning as it's storming outside and I just want to leave her alone as much as possible.

Anyway, thank you all for your help and advice! Momma looks good and healthy and the babies are looking good and all is well! This is SO much more fun than an incubator!

Susie

Now you've done it. I WANT A BROOOOODY :))))))

Not to egg you on, Aram (pretty good pun, huh?) but I thought I'd come post a picture. 7 of 8 are here now and egg #9 is a dud. When I opened up the little broody coop this morning, here is what greeted me.

Woaw, Susie, what a wonder, I envy you. Beautiful picture. Good luck, Anny.