Our friend Brittany gave us some Black Orpington/Cochin eggs for our chickens to bring to life. Our hen, Tiki, has never hatched any babies so we were excited for her to finally get the chance. On Friday May 20th 2016, the first egg “pipped” and by Sunday morning all of the eggs had hatched into healthy chicks. They are doing well and we are enjoying watching them grow and learn.
When they hatched out of their eggs, they were so incredibly tired. I learned that it takes an amazing amount of energy to use an egg tooth to hatch yourself from an egg. They make the initial hole right at the border of where the air sac attaches inside the egg. From there the baby chicken makes a “zipper” around the circumference. It is really amazing to hear the chicks inside the eggs even before they are hatched. They even respond when you talk to them. It was incredible to be able to encourage them as they hatched over the course of many hours.
When they finally arrived, they were wet, scraggly, and uncoordinated. Slowly they started stretching out and began to walk and stumble around. They would rest in a stretched out prone position frequently.
They are now 13 days old and are getting more active and stronger every day. Successive rows of their wing feathers are growing in. It is fascinating to watch them play and interact with each other and the big world.
First born chick resting and encouraging her sister.
Tiki is finally a mother.
Tiki and the babies beginning to explore their yard.
We are eating and sleeping and learning so much everyday.
I am 2 days old.
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