We have bought some fertilised eggs to put under Lacey

Dave has built a little 'broody coop' and Lacey is settling in there now (happily sitting on half a dozen golf balls to get her in the mood.)

We'll sneak the eggs in tonight after dark

ooooooooooooooo how wonderful

oh this is all too exciting. I'm eagerly awaiting some action here too

signs to look for Wards are.....
comb getting redder.
A sudden increase in the amount they eat.
legs changing colour.
'crouching' as you approach
the odd, foul smelling, yellow tinged pooh.

won't be long now

I was gonna ask you that.

Yeah, they are ravenous, their legs are pale, their cack is yak and the smallest chook does play doggo when I go near her (my old man says is it any wonder)

Better go and check the Egg Port (again )

Well, good news, all 3 hens are now laying. So, 21 eggs a week now Took my niece 3 and used four today for scrambled egg on toast, oh and I made scones using 2

show orf!
I'm lucky if I get two a day from four hens at the minute

and it's day 21.
that means we should hear the pitter patter of tiny feet....but no sign yet.
I think we're not gonna get any chicklets time
and whose gonna tell Sophie?

is it all too late then

today is day 21.
Hatching day.
we should be able to hear them peeping, see the ickle eggs rock slightly that sort of thing.....
nothing.
nada.

Aww

there's a scratching noise coming from one of the eggs

oh my gawd Everything crossed this end Tara

Good luck matey

Ooooh exciting What's happened Tara

well, we opened the lid to put fresh food and water in.......okay, to have a look see ....and one of the eggs has a little square hole in it and a crack halfway round

we couldn't look at the others cos Lacey attacked us and covered them with her wings quick

might have a chicklet by the morning
(camera is on charge )

Oooh Tara..... the suspense!!

Fingers and toes crossed here. Can't wait til the morning. It's so exciting innit

You've got me on the edge of my seat and I can't even keep chooks!

moonbells

the hole in the shell is now about two centimetres across and a little hairy thing can be seen breathing heavily
god I hope it's okay

Dave managed to hand feed lacey a little corn, water and tomato, she has refused to leave the nest to eat or drink for the last 24 hours
god I hope she's okay

this hatching lark is far more stressful than I imagined

Aww Tara... Fingers crossed here hun xxx

I had no idea it was so stressful, chicks just 'happened' when I was a child Loads of good vibes

Aw bless, she sounds a right dedicated mum. Can't you try her with some wriggly worms Mind you like you say you can't keep disturbing her. You need one of those hencams off Amazon then we could all tune in for the pics cos you can put em on t'internet. Go and send Dave to get one Hurry up, quick

Great idea Wards - we could have a stuffers version of Springwatch

Fingers crossed here too Tara

chick died

Awwwwww no!!!!!! What happened? Or didn't happen? Is Sophie ok and is Lacey ok? (((Tara)))

oh rotten eck So sorry Tara They seem so fragile don't they. I wonder what the percentage is for those actually making it Poor lacey too

aww no