Farm News

Last Friday I was in the hen house filling the feeder and waterer and collecting eggs.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of our black hens chasing off one of the barn cats, which I thought was a bit unusual.  I continued working when I heard a flock of birds outside.  Since it was late in the day, about five o'clock, I wondered what the birds were up to.  Looking outside, I saw a beautiful sight:  the black hen had nine little black and white chicks scurrying around her feet!  Our cat must have gotten too close to the babies so, being a good mother, the hen chased off the cat.  I ran back to the house to grab a camera but by the time I returned, the chicken family had gone into hiding.  I had no idea that one of our chickens was roosting in secret.  This is the largest *batch* we've ever had - and they were hatched without human intervention.  Now we know, when a hen goes broody, just leave it alone.