Adorable Chicks at My Farm
It’s always such a joy to see the animals at my farm thriving - they are all so beautiful, so curious, and so friendly.
If you follow my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, you may have seen photos of my newest residents - 20-chicks that recently hatched in my Winter House kitchen. The peeps hatched in a special incubator from Brinsea, a leading manufacturer of egg incubators, hatchers and brooders for poultry, waterfowl and other birds. The chicken eggs are placed into the incubator the day they are laid. They are kept at the ideal temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit for 21-days until they hatch. It's exciting to see every chick emerge and grow.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here is my Brinsea incubator in my kitchen. I incubate them here where they can be safe from other birds and closely monitored until they hatch. This Brinsea Ovation 56 Advance model includes a digital temperature and humidity display, automatic temperature controls and alarms, programmable automatic egg turning features, and an airflow system. The unit can hold up to 56-eggs depending on the egg size.
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- Once an egg comes up from the coop, we label it with the date it was placed in the machine, so we can gage approximately when it will hatch. There are several crucial conditions needed for proper embryo development in all birds. These factors include: proper temperature, controlled humidity, and sufficient air circulation.
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- While the eggs incubate, they are automatically turned once a day, 45-degrees each way, back and forth during the storage period. Insufficient turning can cause poor growth. The eggs are checked every morning and spritzed with water to keep them from “drying out”. Water is also added to the unit to provide proper humidity levels.
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- Once hatched and dry, the chicks are moved to this large bin under an essential heat lamp on another counter. These chicks hatched within hours of each other, which is nice, so they are not lonely.
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- This peep is very curious and very alert. It is already looking for food.
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- After a couple of days, there are more chicks – all up and about and playing and interacting with each other. They also peck at each other playfully.
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- Once they are fully active, the chicks are moved to a larger crate in my basement.
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- This yellow chick loves sitting on top of the stuffed toy. It is already practicing roosting skills – and look at its big feet.
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- It is always nice to see such a strong and energetic group of babies. Chicks grow quickly, so it won’t be long before they outgrow this enclosure.
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- Meanwhile, another peep has hatched, and here it is in the warm bin on my kitchen counter. Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old.
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- Within hours, it was standing and looking for food and water. We show each chick where their water and food are right away, so they know where to find it once they are able to walk around. The chicks are fed organic chick starter for the first six to eight weeks.
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- On average, about 10-chicks can consume approximately one-pound of chick starter feed per day. A good chick starter feed will contain protein for weight gain and muscle development, plus vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and to build their immune systems.
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- The cheeks on these chicks are nothing short of adorable.
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- Soon, there were five chicks in the bin.
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- These chicks have all become fast friends.
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- By the end of last week, all 20-chicks were down in the basement cage. Here is Sanu changing the bedding, which is done several times a day as chicks can be quite messy.
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- The chicks are growing fast and starting to flap their wings.
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- This chick looked straight at the camera. Chickens have their own personalities – some are more active or more curious than others.
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- Sanu places fresh greens in the cage – they all come running to the fresh vegetables.
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- This chick starts picking at the stems first. All these chicks have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
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- Once a chick starts snacking, the rest soon follow – so curious and so eager.
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- These youngsters will remain in my house until they are big enough to socialize with the others down at the coop.
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- I am so happy with this group of babies – they are all strong good eaters, and will be a great addition to my flock.
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- And, back upstairs in the incubator – a group of goose eggs, which take between 28 and 32 days to hatch – I can’t wait.
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