It's a baby! Yup, one last egg hatched tonight...
I had a bunch of eggs under a couple of sitting hens (they were in the same nest box), but their nest was getting all kinds of activity from the other hens wanting to lay their eggs in their nest box. All that activity caused the sitting girls to get up off of their nest quite often, and the eggs got shuffled around a lot as the two birds rolled the eggs back and forth so they could "take turns" sitting on them. So, I put the eggs in the incubator for the last week to see if they would even hatch. That's how we got the two chicks that hatched earlier this month, and tonight, the last egg from the bunch hatched. Most of the eggs didn't fully develop into chicks, and I'm attributing that to too much activity in the nest box the hens were sitting on them. Too much temperature change, too much rolling back and forth...something. But three hatched, and we gave three adorable little babies to enjoy!
I THINK this baby is a cross between a bearded Golden Laced Polish hen (Not Weezie) and a Red Frizzled rooster (Little Buddy or Tiny Tim, but my money's on Little Buddy). The egg the baby hatched from was a large white shelled egg, which is what the two Golden Laced Polish girls lay. The coloring of the chick is more similar to the Golden Laced Polish chicks than it is to the Buff Laced Polish. At this point, that's all I have to go on. Oh, AND, it's wing feathers show characteristics of being a little pullet (girl) -- cross your fingers she's a she! She's almost dry -- her baby fuzz is still a bit matted down in this photo from her being inside her egg. I'll take more pics when she's all fluffy and cute!
Remember this chick from last week? I was WRONG WRONG WRONG on the parents! Turns out, that baby is a FRIZZLE/Silkie mix, and it's feathers are curling and showing the frizzle gene! So, it's Mama is not Pearl, Doily, OR Tina! I'll try and get pics later this week. SO CUTE! More on this later.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your website...especially with the rooster with the coat...oh my gosh, I laughed so hard...
Posted by: Ginny | April 03, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Hey Anna,
My son Simon would like to submit a name for the baby chick...he suggested Peck. He loves all the pictures of the animals and remembers when you've asked for name suggestions. I know you weren't in need but I thought it was sweet that he wanted to play along. Hee Hee.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Hauck | April 03, 2009 at 05:24 AM
After months of coming to work and checking many blogs on a daily basis, I just had to tell you that yours is my favorite. Each time I begin to open yours I notice a a smile creep across my face as I anticipate what you may have to say about cards or animals today. Thank you for brightening my day.
Posted by: Carri | April 02, 2009 at 08:59 AM
These are so sweet and cute - thanks so much for sharing. That Houdini is adorable -how do you keep your hands off him? I would want to be petting and talking with him all the time.
Posted by: Dru Cabral | April 02, 2009 at 03:20 AM
How adorable Anna! I can't wait for our chickens to start setting so we can have those little fluffs chirping everywhere! And how cute is Edward Scissorbeak, so happy he found a loving home with you, I'm sure many people wouldn't have given him a chance:)
Hugs
Amber
Posted by: Amber | April 02, 2009 at 12:42 AM
What a cutie! I made some Anna Banana Bread today!!! It is yummy!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | April 01, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Loving all the baby chicks!!!
Posted by: Erika M | April 01, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Hi Anna ... Your new chicks are BEYOND cute ... they need to be in Easter Commercials :)
I just wish I could have a couple of hens in my backyard, but in the City it's considered illegal :( 'Til then, I'll just have to be satisfied looking at your stunning photos.
~Robb_eeie~
Posted by: Robb_eeie | April 01, 2009 at 03:59 PM
just thought i would share this article from my homestate paper....right up your alley!
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090401/NEWS01/904010305&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Renee'
Posted by: Renee | April 01, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I never thought I would get so much enjoyment from looking at chick(en) pictures. How is it that all of your animals are so darn cute? I think the secret is in the photographer and story teller!
Posted by: Beth M | April 01, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Pure preciousness! thanks for the update and the awesome photos.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | April 01, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Congratulations, AGAIN! You are such a great chickie Momma! Glad you "rescued" the egg from the hens! It sounds like they have been having quite a time with their nest eggs!!!
The babies are all so sweet and cute...I hope they are all doing well!
Posted by: diane mcvey | March 31, 2009 at 10:33 PM