Digger is a mama!

[wood&feathers]

We have only had chooks for a year now. It was about this time last year we took our rooster as part of a group destined for freezer camp. Then when he turned out to be a sweetie, we had to get him some girls. First a couple RIR, then in March a BR and Australorp. All were acquired locally as young started pullets.

Three weeks ago Digger our BR went hard core broody. I finally gave up breaking her and let her sit 5 eggs. Of the originals, only one was left a wk ago but 2 new ones appeared. The marked egg hatched Friday. The pic is here with her little white mutt, teaching it how to eat and drink.

 

[wood&feathers]

FYI they are both on chick starter now. The egg had been chirping for a couple days, and the watery scramble is Digger's morning treat. The little thing surprised us by coming out overnight.

 

[kla37]

So cute!

Congrats! I really want to let one of our girls have a family next year....

 

[wood&feathers]

Yeah, I wasn't sure, her not being even a year old. I did try to make sure she got feed supplements. The only hitch is I had to remove her and the little one from the brooder to empty all the bedding. She keeps showing it how to FIND food...and buries the waterer under a pile of bedding. They were back inside in minutes but she gave me all kinds of grief about it.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

What a great mamma!

Does Digger have White Feet by any chance?

 

[wood&feathers]

I have wondered if she was even a rock sometimes. Her eggs are a shiny terra cotta, and her legs are gray over pink. The breeder who sold them is not a show type, realy country, a gravedigger. "Digger" keeps holes around the yard where she likes to hide. She really disappears at the base of a white oak.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congrats!

My broody has 1 more week until she's a momma!

 

[The Sheriff]

Digger looks more like my Cuckoo Marans who lays terra cotta eggs than my Barred Rock. Whatever she is, she sure has a cute baby. Enjoy!

 

[hillfarm]

awww. I can't wait for my lil EE to start a family. I wonder what EE and buff orp will look like.

 

[wood&feathers]

Yes, I had been wondering if she was a Maran. For my purposes as a pet it doesn't really matter. I need to ask POP57 if he sold this fellow some birds. I can't imagine him acquiring Marans otherwise.

She is the most devoted mother, and this lone chick will be spoiled rotten