The cuteness continues with the addition of 2 Brabanter peeps that hatched this weekend.  One yesterday and one today sometime early this morning.  There were 4 eggs to start with but I am thinking those are not going to hatch given they were dated 1/28 & 1/31.  The two that are peeping away are very cute   The hen, a Cochin had the job of hatching as she was broody and wanted a job.  Today she came out and joined the main flock and had food and water. Then about 15 min later was back in the hen house warming up the noisy bunch.  Since she has been setting in a nest box and really upsetting the rest of the ladies I have set up another nursery pen and moved mom / peeps into it.  They look snug in the dog crate and will be easier to monitor.  Now the other hens can get back to laying eggs in the hen house instead of who knows where.

Mother hen sharing her new peeps

Brand new and checking out the big world of the barn.  The missing hen hatched 3 peeps and this morning there she was at the hen yard waiting for breakfast.  When the flock joined her area in the barn aisleway there was not a lot of fuss and if momma hen felt the need she sure voiced her warning and fluffed up enough to warn off any other interloper.  Since the peeps need chicks starter and the hen did not want to leave the aisleway we covered the dog kennel (6′x6′) with small mesh and moved the little family inside.  Tonight all are snug in a wooden box nestled in fresh hay and every so often a little face peeks out from under a wing to take a better look at the bigger world.

The setting hen has not been seen since that early Sunday morning back on Jan 24.  The books and friends say it’s 21 days to hatching.  If I count the day she went stealth that day is tomorrow Feb 8.  Give or take a few days that makes next weekend by goal date to hopefully see her emerge from hiding with chicks if they hatch in tow.  I really don’t want to take the stack of hay apart to find her if it can be avoided.   Someone is eating the feed I put out but that could be anything.   Crossing my fingers that all goes well and she comes out just fine.