Better Hens and Gardens

The two Buckeye hens that went broody this summer both successfully hatched three chicks; and today we have five chicks left that are growing up amongst the flock.  All of the chicks that hatched seem to be extremely healthy, and we haven’t needed to provide any special care for the them at all (i.e. no brooder box, no pasty butts, no heat lamp, etc.).   We’ve given them chick starter feed (where the big chickens couldn’t get it) and water, but that’s it.   The broody hens have been excellent mothers and the only calamity was when a hawk got one of the three chicks from the first broodies clutch (hazard of raising chicks that free range).   
 

1st Broody [...]

Continue reading Broody Chick Update