The last 3 days have had the chicks hatching. As some of you know, I am experimenting with a free-range poultry farm, raising our local breed of birds (someone help me name this specie). The set up is simple: build a barricade some 2-ish meters from the brick fence, and then a sleeping area on one end of the 22m long enclosure. There are some trees and shrubs in this area to provide shade and hiding place for the birds as they forage.
The main goal was to reduce the fatality rate, as compared to letting them really roam the compound, and sometimes the neighborhood, as is common practice here. Apart from some data-shifting extreme occurrences that has happened, I would say things are going as I planned. I am still learning everyday about very affordable ways to feed them and cater for their general welfare.
Broody mother hen has been laying on her eggs the past few weeks. Few days ago the chicks started hatching. Again I noticed two partially hatched eggs, but from the lesson gathered from the last time I tried to help with the hatching, I decided to let things take a natural turn this time.
Yesterday they both hatched fully, although one was very weak. The mother hen took out her siblings for their first walk and left her in the nest, alone and cold. I took her in a carton, lit a lantern, and just let her rest. Later I decided to "borrow" the other chicks from the hen for a while, to stay with the frailing one and offer her moral support.
It seemed to work. They ate and were jolly all day. Mother was furious of course. The weak one wasn't eating, but at least was coming on gradually and was able to stagger around.
Be the pack leader. Set the pace!
Later in the evening I released all eight of them to the mother who took them under her warm fuzzy underside. I mean that's what mothers do. How beautiful! I was hoping the weak one made it to the next morning since it was stronger than when I first took her. Then I retired to my house for the evening. Note: my farm is situated in my parent's property some 30 minutes away from where I live, because that is the only luxury of space I have, and it fits my level of commitment to this whole project.
This morning I called my mum, and she broke the news that the frail chick didn't make it past the night. Now I am not sure what I should have done differently, and I will really appreciate any feedback/advice you guys who are more experienced can give me.
In the meantime, I am happy I took this beautiful portrait of that sweet young thing, and I share it here on the blockchain as tribute to her. Find peace where you are, sweet.
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