August 19, 2017

Persistence Pays Off

Last month I told you about our four broody hens who were trying to occupy three nest boxes. Once the chicks hatched, one mama hen claimed two and left the other three to work out who would get to mother the remaining six. Two of those hens took over the job and repeatedly chased off poor Mama #4. Wellsir, she didn't give up and her persistence finally paid off.

Mama #4 and her lone baby chick

She had nine eggs total, and we had two half-hatched chicks that didn't make it before this one did.

This gal has been nest sitting for two and a half months and she finally has herself a baby chick! I don't know if that's a record for the longest setting hen, but there has to be a life lesson in there somewhere.

Persistence Pays Off © August 2017 by 
Leigh  at http://www.5acresandadream.com/
on

15 comments:

  1. GoatldiAugust 19, 2017 at 12:36 AM

    Patience is a virtue. Good job Mama!

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  2. Chris August 19, 2017 at 1:14 AM

    How ecstatic she must feel, having the peeping of a baby under her breast. Well done, mother hen. :)

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  3. TheresaAugust 19, 2017 at 5:58 AM

    Tales from the henhouse eh! So glad this chick and chicken have found each other. Winner winner er.....you know the rest. ;-)

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  4. Pioneer Woman at HeartAugust 19, 2017 at 8:54 AM

    I had a broody hen, but so far no chicks. Maybe someday. She looks pretty happy.

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  5. Mama PeaAugust 19, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    She just KNEW she was supposed to be hatching out a chick this year! (I wonder if she felt like some women who thought their pregnancy was going to last forever??) ;o)

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  6. LeighAugust 19, 2017 at 10:39 AM

    Animals can be pretty amazing. This has been the most persistent one so far. I've had several others who've given up after a couple of weeks, or are so busy nest hopping to not hatch out any chicks. These usually lose interest pretty soon though.

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  7. weavinfoolAugust 19, 2017 at 11:36 AM

    My broody hen this year was sitting on infertile eggs. We let her keep five of the eggs and when they would have hatched I bought 7 chicks for her. She's now the proud mama of 2 marans and 4 guinea fowl. The wyandotte chick died. She's a fierce protector.

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  8. jodiAugust 20, 2017 at 7:39 AM

    Wow,good for her, there is nothing cuter than a baby chick ( unless it's a baby goat or baby bunny, a newborn horse or cow , or duck,)
    I could go on and on. Babies just are the best.

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  9. Mrs ShoesAugust 20, 2017 at 12:46 PM

    She just really, REALLY wanted to be a mother.
    Can't blame her a bit - it's been the most challenging & rewarding job I have.

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  10. Cozy Thyme CottageAugust 20, 2017 at 2:45 PM

    Good for mother chick! Her persistence and patience got her a cute little baby chick. Nancy

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  11. Rain August 20, 2017 at 3:05 PM

    Congratulations Mama #4!! She is teaching a life lesson that we all can learn from. :)

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  12. SusanAugust 21, 2017 at 2:04 PM

    I am so happy for her!

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  13. M.K.August 21, 2017 at 6:50 PM

    Awww! Sweet momma hen :) I'm glad she finally got a reward for all her labor.

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  14. Henny PennyAugust 24, 2017 at 6:53 AM

    Bless her heart! She deserves that baby chick. That has got to be a record for a setting hen.

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  15. LeighAugust 24, 2017 at 7:45 AM

    :)

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