Austro, Our Australorpe Hen Has Hatched 5 Chicks!

If You Haven't Read the First Blog, Here's a Link to Austro As She Went Broody

Austro's a Mother Hen!!

A little over a month ago we put out a call for some fertilized eggs for our broody Australorpe Hen to sit on and hopefully hatch out. We had 3 broken eggs during the process, 2 didn't develop, and 2 made it all the way but didn't hatch out :(.  But we ended up with 5 VERY HAPPY VERY HEALTHY SUPER FUN BABY CHICKS!! 

What Breeds Are They? 

We aren't sure on the breeds as of yet, they are a barnyard mix but we do know that 3 of them are part or full Dorking. I just love that

name, Dorking! They are a calm, friendly dual purpose breed that has some really neat history! It's an ancient rare breed from England that traces it's history back to Roman times! They also have 5 toes, which make them look kinda sci fi. As for the yellow and black one, we think one is a Golden Comet cross and the other an Australorpe or Plymouth Rock cross. 3 of them have feathers on their feet.

Momma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Chicken Wranglers! 

We've had some very special guests to see the newest members of God's Lil Acre. Fearless, yet gentle, these chicken wranglers give us adults a run for our money when it comes to catching chicks!! I

Henry, James, Aidan, Aslin, Madden and Eve all have really taken to the babies and are great with them! I didn't get a picture of Eve but she made really good friends with the little golden one, even putting her to sleep in her arms. We asked her to name the chick. It's Sarah. Hopefully she is a she! :) I think we also named the black one Inky! 

Spreading Our Wings!!!!

Momma and babies are now being let our during the day and Austro is doing a FANTASTIC job of keeping an eye on her babies! No one is going to tell her she didn't lay those eggs! As far as she is concerned, they are blood, through and through! She keeps an eye on them all day and makes a quiet clucking sound to direct her chicks to her. We extra fortified both runs so that the little ones, who are small enough

to get through the regular fencing, cannot accidentally walk out, (which only happened 2x... ha!) 

It's so amazing to see the instinct that God has put in mothers, all mothers. He cares so much about all of us. I am reminded of the time Jesus spoke about the value of sparrows. 

Matthew 10: 29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice.

30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Today, as you go about your day, I hope you'll think about our little Austro, the way she gathers her chicks under her, the way she defends her babies from any and all threats, the way she teaches them to eat and drink, find little worms and teaches them what not to eat. At night she takes them all up the chicken latter (even though it takes her a little while to get them all up), and she fluffs out so they all sleep soundly under her wings.

Now picture yourself. God wants to protect you, provide for you, teach you, and gather you unto Himself for safety and in love. 

Matthew 23; 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a mother fowl gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!

When God comes' a knockin' today, don't refuse Him, just cuddle up under His wings, listen and obey His Spirit. 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.