The Early Birds

The Firstborn

You know what they say about early birds!

We set eggs three weeks ago tomorrow evening, but already two little chicks have hatched and many more are on their way.  One was even already dried off by the time I came home.  Fortunately, a second hatched in the evening, so they can keep each other company through the night.

The Second Chick

Chicks are supposed to hatch exactly three weeks from the time you put them into the incubator, but depending on the incubator conditions (mainly temperature) and how vigorous the parents are, they sometimes hatch a little early or late.  These caught me off guard coming so early and I was a little unprepared.  Thankfully I was able to get their brooder (nursery) set up.  Now the poor pigs have to sleep with the constant chirping of little chicks.  Finnemore is asking to sleep in my bedroom tonight…

We will have more tomorrow on how the hatching is coming along.  There’s plenty more where those came from!