Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Killer

As I posted last week Killer hatched out 6 chicks. One died but the others are happy and healthy. Killer makes sure they are well taken care of. We were given 23 baby chicks and weren't sure where we were going to keep them. We decided to see what Killer would do if we put them in with her. Killer did us proud. She took those chicks in like they were her very own. William put plastic over the roosting house and hung a heat light. I went in the pen to shoo the chicks inside under the light and Killer came after me! She let me know those were her chicks and she would take care of them. She taught them how to scratch for food and kept going from one side to the other making sure all the chicks were eating and scratching. When the wind picked up she started clucking and rounding them up to go inside. Counting the 5 she already had Killer is now the proud mom of 28 chicks and what a wonderful mom she is! The photos only show part of the chicks as they were all over the pen.

25 comments:

Ms. Kathleen said...

Now that's a mom to make history! They are so cute. And kitties - my fav animal! Have a wonderful Easter! Hugs!

Amy said...

That really is so sweet. I needed a good story today.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---Killer must be very special. I'd hate to have 28 babies all at once.. WELL---I'd hate to have 28 babies EVER. ha ha

Congrats to Killer.
Hugs,
Betsy

Leasmom said...

Thats good taht shes such a wonderful mom to all of her chicks, natural and adopted.

Tracy Bruring said...

I am telling you what. I have got to figure out a way to get hatching eggs from her. Is there a way to ship them?

Christy said...

Wow! What a great mom she is. I can't imagine having that many babies to keep track of.

Mary said...

Peggy,

Hens make very good surrogate mothers. 28 chicks is a lot for her to look after, which makes her exceptional. I would love to see some baby chicks. I remember last spring when so many died on the farm because they got chilled. I'm glad you installed the heat lamp.

Please drop by my Writing Nook and enter my book giveaway.

Blessings,
Mary

Anonymous said...

You have one great momma hen there. I hope you have a good Easter.

LDF said...

Killer sounds like an Araucana hen "Goldie" we had for quite a few years ... all I had to do was bring home a box of day old peepers, and she took over instantly, whether she was broody or not at the time herself. One year she raised 3 dozen BIG meat birds for me! Such a delight to watch. I miss my chickens.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I use to have a hen that would take any chicks or ducklings I had. She was a wonderful mom. I lost her to a hawk)-: It was so sad. I have not had another hen like her since. Its fun to see a hen like Killer! You are lucky!

Brenda Eason said...

That is so sweet. What a good mommy.
Happy Easter early...we leave tomorrow.

ChristyACB said...

28 chicks is positively astounding! She is going to need a vacation after this round! LOL.

Marci said...

Wow, that is a lot of chicks. I have always loved the names of your animals. Killer has been one of my favorite. :)

Jenny said...

How cute that she has taken them all "under wing." What a good mama hen!
~Jenny~

Dana said...

How very sweet:)

DayPhoto said...

I keep thinking that I really should get rid of my rooster, I have to put him out of the pen in the morning, then late in the day I let the hens out with him. The reason being that he rides the girls just way to much and even has some in shreds.

BUT, I would like a sitting hen, with little babies so that keeps him present.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

The Raggedy Girl said...

I was just stopping by to see what you were up to. For some silly reason my hand, which was so much better, is really hurting today so I am not up to typing. So I made this little message to let you know I still came by...and I loved your post because I always do!

Roberta Anne...The Raggedy Girl

grammy said...

That is a story to do mamas proud. Love the chicks...not sure killer would be my friend (o:

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

I remember getting baby chicks when I was little. They were all so cute and you could hardly walk in the pen because you might step on one..How fun they were...Glad that Killer decided to be a good mom...Sandy

Welcome To Wilmoth Farms said...

So awesome to catch up on you today..I've been MIA for a few days, so it was a great treat to read up on life at the Haven! Congrats on the chicks and the new buckling! Sounds like the grands did an excellent job!

The Three Little Bears said...

I can't wait until one of our chickens get to do that! That will be so awesome to see!

Jeanette said...

G'Day peggy.

Awwwww Killer is the pect Mum 28 babies to look after. She might need a name change to Caring Mother..

JoyceAnn said...

Aww ~~~ That's a cute story about Killer , biddies are precious.

~ Spring Blessings ~
JoyceAnn

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

What a lovely brood and mother hen!

Rosa said...

Awwww. Sooo cute! I saw a farm with LOTS of goats and other kritters in Al. Took a picture for you in my last post. There were all kinds of baby kritters running about. Happy Easter Peggy!