21 days exactly and there was cheeping to be heard in the incubator. The rocker (which keeps them gently moving all the time in place of a hen moving and turning them) was turned off, the incubator elevated to the table for improved viewing and within 2 days we had 9 chicks. Not bad from 14 eggs really, and with a power cut in the middle!
The chocolate brown eggs hatched into these black and yellow chicks.
The normal light brown eggs hatched into a buff Orpington x red hen cross. The father being one of these beautiful chaps with a penchant for rainbow chard and all things tasty on Ring and Thimble patio!
The mother being one of our many very busy red hens who forage hard and lay well and probably the main providers of any eggs you’ll eat whilst you stay here. A particular treat is leftover clotted cream!
Today they are being moved from under the heat lamp to an enclosed run in one of the stables whilst we wait for warmer weather before putting them outside. Shame they have no Mum to keep them warm and safe and teach them a few tricks too!
