Broody Hatches Her Eggs

Our Light Sussex hen hatched four of her five eggs a couple of days ago. Today they ventured outside for the first time and mother has been minding them proudly. Father has also been staying close by and keeping other interested parties in their place*! It hasn't all been good news though. Yesterday two of the chicks died. They must have wandered from the nest and couldn't find their way back in and mother hen was torn between keeping the two chicks still in her nest warm or following the other two around the shed. Perhaps we should have kept them all securely shut in the broody box for a couple of days. Sometimes these learning curves can be heartbreaking, especially for the children.

In the meantime one of our other two broody hens has been a bit silly. She got off her nest for a stroll and a feed which is perfectly normal and to be encouraged, but then sat back into the wrong box (empty with no eggs at all). By the time we noticed all her own eggs were stone cold. I don't know how long the eggs can be left unattended and remain viable, so we put her back in the right box and will hope for the best.

Life here has been on hold for a week or two recently. I found a lump in my breast and it's taken this long to have the relevant tests done, thank heavens I got the all clear on Thursday last. It's been an exhausting time and it will take a while to get back on my feet. I can't begin to explain the fear and heartbreak I felt at the thought of what might be about to happen to our family. The outcome could have been very different so I'm counting my blessings on a daily basis.

* 'interested parties'

Comments

[Alan]

Congrats on the baby chicks! We have yet to be successful hatching anything out and having it live. I have a couple of hens that get very broody, but when we move the coop It seems to upset them too much. I've tried to isolate them, but that makes them crazy.

Stay vigilant on the whole C issue. Been down that road with my wife (same result as you.) It really sets you back, just dealing with the "what if" and the waiting.

Best of luck!

[craftydabbler]

Congratulations on the baby chicks. Thank you for sharing what goes on in your learning curve, hopefully it will smooth out some bumps for the rest of us.

Thank goodness you got the all clear. A friend of mine was just diagnosed last week. Take good care of yourself.

[debra]

I'm so glad your results were good.
The peeps are sweet. Sorry about the ones you lost. My hens are doing ok. I'll need to think about new ones though since they I've lost a few lately.

[Deb L]

"what ifs" are so scary, and being a parent with young children makes them even more stressful. I'm glad to hear you had clear results!

So sorry about the wee chicks. The ones in the picture sure are cute!! And that cat looks positively sneaky. LOL

[katrien]

I nearly jumped up and dropped the laptop when I read the first line of your scary news. Then sat back down again when I read the rest. We're sending you big American bear hugs from across the Pond!

[Péitseoga]

So glad your test results were good. with the irish health system it's all extra scary, 2 weeks is a long time to wait for a result!

[gaile]

oh, i totally know what you just went through, as I went through the same just a few years ago, complete with a few extra tests just to be sure. I know the relief and the feeling if being a bit shellshocked even with the good news. Happy to hear you have new little lives at the farm, and I'm sure there are lots of things to be done there to keep you busy and get you feeling back to normal. congratulations all round.

[janice]

So glad to hear the results were good. My good friend has just gone through a very difficult year that started with a lump which then resulted in a mastectomy and a still going through the chemo. Please stay vigilant. Love all the little chicks.

[Jean]

There is nothing more alarming than finding lumps in the wrong places. I also had that a few years back soon after my sister had finished her treatment for the same thing. So glad it was all ok.
Your chicks are lovely - love the proud father!

[Cakes]

Thank heavens for your test results! I can't imagine what a rough week it must have been.

Your new little family is absolutely adorable! I'm sorry about the loss of two of the chickies and hope that the other clutch are ok.

[kelly]

Oh, SOOOOO glad to hear your results were happy ones...how scary. I went through just that last summer and it was the most draining thing on every level to wait and wonder and try to live and do all of the right things while it all hung in the balance.

hugs to you dear lady.

[Lorna]

So glad everything is okay with the test results. Hope you have a great time with your Wwoofers! Lorna

[julie]

What a relief that your results were negative and what a scary time for you and Dan. It's good that you can now move on and take something positive from the experience by counting your blessings! Well done on the chicks too!

[colour it green]

glad to hear you got the all clear

[Sara]

hi, just stumbled on your blog. A few years ago, a lump was found during my annual mammogram. I had to wait 2 weeks to see the surgeon, 2 weeks to have the biopsy done, 2 weeks for the results. 6 weeks of sheer terror, to find out all was OK. My Mom died of breast cancer at age 56.
thank goodness you are OK. !!!!!!!
And I love your chickies!

[Lizz]

I am happy for you that you can breathe a sigh of relief now and are givin the change to be so very grateful.

[Tania]

Thank God all is well with your health. Such a relief and a reminder to live every day to the fullest.

Tania

[Rebecca Hillman]

Thanks for all your kind words. It's incredible just how many other people have been through the same thing, the majority with a happy ending and of course others that then have to face a journey of fear, bravery and the unknown. Both my parents died aged 67 from cancer so I am very vigilant. It's just very frustrating when it takes weeks for an appointment to come through just to see a consultant, then more weeks to wait for appointments for various tests and yet more waiting for results. I've had 2 previous breast lumps, both turned out ok but waited 9 months for answers on the first and 6 months on the second. This time it was 6 days because I couldn't bear the stress and strain of waiting, so I forked out the best part of €500 to go private and it was all done on the one day, within 3 hours of arriving at the clinic I had my answer. Crying shame it had to come to that, there's no reason why the public system can't work as efficiently.

[French Knots]

So pleased you got the all clear, though I'm sure waiting so long to hear was awful.

[Victoria]

Glad it worked out that you're okay. The hen + two remaining chicks photos are beautiful.

[polly peirce]

Hi Rebecca,

I'm sorry that this is a little late, but I only scanned your post when it came through earlier this month. All of a sudden it came to me that I'd missed your posts for a couple of weeks and went back over them just to be sure that everything was okay, which is when I read the last paragraph.

I am so please that all your test results came back okay, especially with a family history to worry about.

It must have been such a scary time for you and your husband. I'm just happy that you came out on the other side with something to smile about.

Meanwhile keep up the good work and enjoy your good life to the limit with your lovely family...