I've been waking up from dreams these past few weeks of having ewes lambing as I go out to do chores and of waking to a new born calf. These are exciting times! It is in late winter and early spring that I get to put my midwifing instincts to practice in welcoming babies to the farm. So far this year we have welcomed piglets, one lamb...and now...chicks!
These little fluffy bums are from our hens, they are a mix of heritage breeds that we love and give us a rainbow of eggs each day (white, blush, brown, darker brown, chocolate brown, blue and green).
I have a large chest incubator that can hatch about 180 eggs at a time. We started saving eggs in December and January for hatching (not the best fertility rates during those weeks...but also when we aren't selling many so it balances out).
Yesterday was the first official day of the hatch. Unlike last year, I have resisted opening the incubator for the first day of the hatch. By today I could hear many chirps so we spritzed the inside with warm water, opened it quickly, removed the little peepers, and closed it back up.
The chicks that have hatched are being cared for in a brooder with a heat lamp, some honey, salt and water for drinking, and some chick starter.
For bedding in the brooder we use hemp hurd (the woody stalk of the hemp plant that has been broken up into small fragments which can replace wood shavings). Hemp hurd can absorb much more moisture than wood shavings which means it is easier to keep the tiny birds dry and warm.
I am excited to continue to welcome babies to the homestead this year...next up...a new Jersey calf!
From my home fire to yours, hai hai
