Hen came home almost a month later then found her stash
Our take
Oh, what a cluck-tastic twist in the tale! After 24 days of wondering where our adventurous hen had wandered off to, she returned home with five adorable chicks in tow! We suspected a raccoon encounter, given our free-ranging setup, but it turns out she was on a secret mission. Nestled under an old car hood in the woods, she had laid three eggs—two of which were underdeveloped. Just when I thought the story couldn’t get any crazier, I heard a tiny chirp! A chick, buried beneath leaves and struggling, caught my attention. After a little rescue mission, it’s now fluffed up and chirping away in the incubator. Talk about a miracle baby!
The recent tale of a hen returning home after a lengthy 24-day absence, accompanied by five adorable chicks, is a heartwarming reminder of the unexpected joys and surprises in the world of backyard chickens. For many chicken enthusiasts, these feathered friends are more than just farm animals; they are part of the family. This story, submitted by user /u/dtrav87, is not just about the miraculous return of a lost hen but also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of these creatures. The author’s experience resonates with anyone who has navigated the challenges of free-ranging chickens, as explored in related articles like First time for me and the hen hatching eggs and Why does my hen look like a rooster.
The fact that this hen found a hidden spot under an old car hood to nest and successfully hatch chicks speaks volumes about the natural instincts of chickens. It’s a beautiful narrative arc: from the initial worry of a possible predator attack to the realization that she was simply following her instincts to nurture her young in the wild. For those of us who have experienced the anxiety of losing a bird, the ending is nothing short of a celebration. It also serves as a gentle reminder that while we may think we control every aspect of our chickens' lives, they often have their own plans. This unpredictability is part of what makes raising chickens so egg-citing!
Moreover, the discovery of a struggling chick under a layer of leaves adds another layer of drama and emotion to this story. The thoughtful intervention to rescue and care for the chick illustrates the community spirit that many backyard chicken keepers share. It’s not uncommon for us to feel a mix of fear and excitement when faced with unexpected situations. The support network that exists among chicken enthusiasts, who often exchange tips and tales, fosters a sense of camaraderie. For example, the article discussing scissor beak and how to care for affected hens, Is there anything you can do for scissor beak? Can a hen live a good life still with it?, underscores the shared challenges and triumphs in our chicken-keeping journeys.
As we marvel at this heartwarming tale, we should also consider what it reveals about the broader landscape of backyard chicken keeping. It showcases the delicate balance of nature and nurture, reminding us of the importance of creating a safe environment for our feathered friends while also allowing them the freedom to explore their instincts. This incident encourages us to be vigilant yet trusting, offering a lesson in patience as we navigate the sometimes chaotic world of chickens.
So, as we look to the future, one can't help but wonder: how many more hidden nests are out there waiting to be discovered? What other stories of resilience and unexpected joy will unfold in our backyards? The journey of chicken keeping is as unpredictable as it is rewarding, and every cluck-tastic moment is one worth cherishing.
 | We lost a hen about 24 days ago. We free range and kinda just assumed she got attacked despite not having any problems ATM (raccoons last year). She showed back up today with five chicks! We run a couple incubators and let our broody girls hatch in the coop but this one had to go postal haha. I searched to find where she went and about five feet into the woods I found an old car hood she made a nest under. There were three eggs that just had vessels and an underdeveloped one that died hatching. I was walking away when I heard chirping!! There was an egg buried under a thick layer of leaves that had a chick struggling stuck with what looked like a fungus growing on it. We washed and pulled it off, helped the chick finish coming out, and put it in the incubator. It's walking around now fluffed out chirping with its eyes open. Still a long way to go but this may be a little miracle baby. [link] [comments] |
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