Our May Babies

May began with a school trip to a poultry farm to pick up our eggs.  It takes 21 days for chicken eggs to incubate.  So Mommy was busy for 21 days trying to control the temperature in the incubator and turning and misting the eggs.  It was fairly uneventful, except when Isaiah 'bumped' the thermometer, and it took several days to stabilize. We were fearful of getting any hatched chicks.  But exactly 21 days and we were awakened by excited children claiming there were cracks in the eggs!

We just missed witnessing the first couple of hatchings, but the wet & wobbly chicks were captivating, and every cracked was carefully observed for signs of change...


Pleased as punch that she was privileged to stay up to watch another chick hatch...

Birth is always fascinating...

 

The 3rd chick to hatch- we just missed the action on camera...

So wet and seemingly helpless...

The 4th, this time captured on digital film..."Hey, buddy, would you hurry up and get out of there!"

Free!  Six of the 12 eggs ended in live chicks.  The last chick had a crack but not enough energy to hatch.  So Mommy pulled it out and it survived as well as the others.

Next day was filled with chick watching- the latest hobby of our house...

Hannah was hooked!

"Yep, they're keeping warm in there!"

Nothing quite so adorable as a brand-new chick...

A kissy for a chicky?

Exploring their new world...

Fascinated animal lover, but it took Judah quite a few days before he would pick up a chick himself.  I think he was fearful of hurting the little fluffs...

Isaiah?  He's a different one.  No fear here.  And perhaps a bit less tenderness as well...

 

4 kids with 4 of the chicks.  Take the picture, quick, before Hannah squeezes hers to death!

Hannah upset that big sister won't let her pinch the ball of fluff...

Yup, they're still in there!