Over the last couple of weeks we have hatched out 3 chickens under 3 different hens. I would have loved to have hatched out more, but either the hens have gotten off the nest too soon, or there are problems with our birds, laying eggs where the chicks are too weak to hatch out.

I have asked advice on a chook website and was given the information that i should be feeding my birds more vitamin B…commonly found in special feed called breeders rations. So have started my birds on this higher quality food and hope over spring we will get a few more chicks. I don’t want to have to bring in new birds for eggs, I much rather breed my own.

Also, there is something truly lovely watching a hen tend to her eggs, gently rolling them under herself, and then to cluck to her chicks when there is food for them.

I have raised many chicks over the last 18 years or so, but never tire of seeing this easy to view part of nature.

For those who are considering getting hens, hatching chicks under a clucky hen is a wonderful thing especially for children to see.

BTW the 3 chicks are now under our old faithful hen Sunshine, who has accepted the new ones without a murmur. This way we don’t have to find 3 separate homes for only 3 chickens.