The Silkie babies

I've had a first time mama sitting on some eggs for 3 weeks now. She's actually in the sale pen (go figure, right?) She's really pretty and I would put her in my regular flock, but I already have enough black Silkie hens. *sigh* So Thursday night there was some excitement in the sale pen with her yelling her head off and another hen hightailing it outta the coop. 

I went to check it out and she had 2 babies and a bunch of pips! By Friday morning she had 6 babies and 1 egg left that was pipped....she took the babies out to play though and left that poor little egg to get cold. (don't worry, I rescued him and stuck him in the incubator where he hatched out!)

They had so much fun playing in the sunshine and eating scrambled eggs! They chased tiny little bugs all morning. lol 

I need to figure out what the heck is going on though since she's been on hold for someone for awhile. Since the order is just for a 'black Silkie hen' (sight unseen) I might sub the other hen and sell this one to the lady that wants 1 hen and 2 Marans chicks. Hmmmm...that might work! I can switch chicks while she's sleeping tonight. Sounds like a plan to me!

Today is chore day. All the coops with shavings are getting cleaned and their contents dumped into the garden and compost pile. (straw lined coops are next week) Hubby got a load of horse manure from the neighbors yesterday....so once that's all dumped on he will till it in and let it set a few more weeks before planting. It's supposed to be a high of 70 today so we should get a lot done.

Have a great Saturday!

~L