New life...

Everything is relative. There are the 'big things' - earthquakes, Rugby World Cup, elections - and there are  the very 'little things', equally worthy perhaps of attention/celebration.


Niki and Geoff got me a dozen fertilised eggs from Roger (whom I have never met). Not because I needed more hens (# currently 14) but because watching a hen sit on eggs, hatch and rear chicks is a wonderful thing of which I haven't yet tired.

I moved Amber Hen from the 'big house' laying box where she was brooding to the A-frame and put the eggs under her. And she sat ... and sat ... and sat ...  Twenty-one days with brief breaks to peck, poo and preen.

Then...

And...

A world full of puzzlement...

... and wonder

Amber Hen is a ferociously protective mother of her five hatched chicks. My greatest delight is watching her teach them to peck. Despite the fact that she has eaten little in nearly a month, she pecks at the food and drops it, modelling the process and presenting the food for her chicks, putting their needs above hers, as do most mums.


Wonderful  :-)