We’ve wanted to have baby chicks for our kids at Easter for years, and this weekend, it finally happened, yay!
One of our hens was beat up by the rest of the flock to the point that I couldn’t even look… She was quite literally almost pecked to death but Cam thankfully found her in time and separated her so she could heal. Now that she’s on the mend, he had the good idea that her and the baby chicks may take to each other.
The baby chicks took to her right away. She looked confused at first but she kept them warm and protected all night, and has adopted them like a mama hen ever since. She went from the very bottom of the pecking order to having the most important role of them all.
Redemption is sweet, even in the most unusual places!
brittany says
oh my gosh. this melts my heart completely!!!!!!! look at your sweet babies holding babies!!! seriously… chickens are like… my life goal. and also, gosh, that story gets me. when we had ducks that had baby ducks, they all got bigger and eventually really picked on one of the weaker ducks – like you said – so badly i couldn’t watch, i was horrified. we separated and protected her, but she eventually passed away, anyway. something must have been wrong and i know animals just *know* instinctively, but ugh, i just sobbed over the whole thing. hopefully you guys will be able to keep your chickychick all happy and strong and she’ll be in her happy place with the babies!!! i can’t wait for more chicken updates!!!
Amanda Marshall says
Bee, you should get some for your backyard!!! They are so so much fun to have around! Though i’m guessing your parents have chickens at their farm!?
Emily stone says
My friend was just telling me about this and said that if there’s one doing all the pecking, to kill the aggressive one because it’ll peck all the others to death until there’s none left. Granted if ALL are doing it to one, then this won’t really apply, but if its one, supposedly, that’s what needs to be done. Glad you were able to save the weak one in time to give her an important role!
Amanda Marshall says
Yikes!!! Thankfully there hasn’t been any more of that shinanagins — Cam brought home a guard goose (who JS named “Ken” – ha!) and ever since then, they’ve all pretty much stayed in line!
Lanna says
This story is so sweet, Amanda!! You know I love a good redemption story. What a great lesson to teach the kiddos!
peep peep!!
😉
xoxoxo, lanneybear
Amanda says
Haha yes, even when it comes in the form of a CHICKEN!
imgrum says
Lovely story. I used to hold the chicks in my hands like this when I was young 🙂