Broody hen ends year with first hatch!

[Cdbosse]

My sweet Ayam Cemani hen decided that December was a great month to become a first time mom. I found her sitting on 5 eggs and within a few more days, she was sitting on a total of 9 eggs! I candled them, thinking I would only find 3-4 to be fertilized. However, all 9 had developing chicks inside! I have 12 hens and currently have 2 roosters- 1 Ayam Cemani and 1 Old English Bantam. Upon further inspection, I realized that mom was sitting on random eggs of different colors and sizes. As of the day after Christmas, 5 have successfully hatched! So far 2 are definitely from my barred rock hen, while 2 are bantam cochen/silkie cross (I had a a 3rd silkie roo at the time but re-homed him just after this miracle happened without my knowledge)…lol!
Sadly, one barred rock baby did not make it but she is being a great mom and has been faithfully caring for the 4 babies and 4 additional unhatched eggs - recandled today and looks like 3 will be pipping anytime now while 1 looks to possibly be naturally halted in development.

Here are my Happy New Year babies so far! I hope you enjoy the photos. I will post the others once they arrive.

 

[Cdbosse]

I’m new here (at least newly activated…account since last April)…
How may I edit a post? My emoji is too happy for my baby that didn’t make it

 

[Daisy June]

I’m new here (at least newly activated…account since last April)…
How may I edit a post? My emoji is too happy for my baby that didn’t make it

I believe after you "post" you will find the edit option at the bottom on the left.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Congratulations- I thought my Cemani was the only one hatching eggs today! We’ll have to trade pics when we can get them all together

 

[Callender Girl]

Congrats to your supermom Cemani!

Sorry about the little barred rock. But looking forward to seeing more sweet babies as they hatch.

 

[Cdbosse]

I believe after you "post" you will find the edit option at the bottom on the left.

Thank you found it now.

 

[Cdbosse]

Congratulations- I thought my Cemani was the only one hatching eggs today! We’ll have to trade pics when we can get them all together

Yes! I would love to see your baby chicks! Congrats to you also!

 

[Cdbosse]

Congrats to your supermom Cemani!

Sorry about the little barred rock. But looking forward to seeing more sweet babies as they hatch.

Thank you
I am about to go out and check on her, babies, and eggs to see if anyone is new in there. I will post an update soon!

 

[AinaWGSD]

Congratulations! New babies are always exciting!

 

[Cdbosse]

So fun! I have only hatched with an incubator but this is a first natural hatch something feels extra magical about it.