Hatching H.Q

We came down to breakfast on Monday morning and got a pleasant surprise. All your kind words and well wishes did the trick, as our eggs had begun to hatch a day early.

My youngest chick had been up all night with a nasty tummy bug. Still feeling under the weather, he camped out next to the incubator, so he didn't miss any of the action in between naps.

After hours of watching the dome, listening to the faint cheep cheeps, we had movement.

Slowly this little chap fought his way out, looking thoroughly exhausted.

And before too long another one , so cute.

Well we have been glued to this incubator all day, not being able to tear ourselves away. By midnight we had three, out of six hatched, but could not keep our eyes open any longer, and off we went to bed.

This morning we were so pleased to find five, of the six eggs, had hatched. Sadly there are no signs of the last one hatching out.

It was getting a little cramped and steamy in the dome, so we moved the chicks to a pen on the kitchen floor. There's a heat lamp to keep them warm, water and chick food. Plenty of wood shavings scattered, to stop them doing the splits. But all they wanted to do was huddle up together and keep warm.

There's a lot of squashing and chirping going on under there.

After a few hours on gas mark 2 they came out all fluffy and gorgeous, just look.

Aren't they adorable? This fluffball above is my favourite, with her little black spots. The one below is called Mitchy, my eldest is the proud owner.

There's been so much cuddling going on this afternoon.

We've all had a go. I don't know how much more cuteness I can take!

Even my Mums got in on the action. Bless.

You know this won't be the end of it don't you?

I'll be back with more, I just can't help myself x.