[hillfooter]

What no pictures of the proud dad, you will have the equal rights mob after you!  

It wasn't a planned liaison and unfortunately she wasn't too choosy so it will be either her father Nicholas II or her bother Boris or both we will never know.  So I think I'll just draw a veil over that question

HF

[ANHBUC]

least said, me thinks

[cammi]

Oh such a lovely post with lovely pics, made me smile.

[daisy1990]

just caught up with this post- lovely story- when can we expect to see pictures of the chicks?

[hillfooter]

just caught up with this post- lovely story- when can we expect to see pictures of the chicks?

Tuesday or possibly Monday next week
HF

[daisy1990]

just in time for Easter- how lovely!

[trinamc]

Any news on the chicks yet?

[LittleRedHen]

  Look at her!  Bless!  That little madam!

[hillfooter]

We've just got back from being away for a long weekend so our daughter Clare and my SIL Simon have been keeping an eye on the chickens.

I went straight up to see how Anastasia was doing to be greeted by one chick and sadly a second one which had managed to get itself trapped behind the nest tray, probably last night and had died without Mum to keep her warm.  Three of the remaining eggs had pipped.  Anway I got a couple of shots of the chick but I didn't want to disturb Anastasia too long from sitting on the eggs so I'll try and get some better shots later.






Sitting back on the remaining 5 eggs



HF

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww sorry to hear about the little one that got trapped HF, but hopefully the other 5 will be fine!  She is a lovely looking girl!

[daisy1990]

gorgeous pictures again- good luck with the rest

[hillfooter]

Of the three pipped eggs two hatched and one she obviously decided had died as she had abandoned it and the remaining two eggs which hadn't piped so 4 hatched out of seven and one of these died.  I think being a rather inexperienced Mum she didn't sit as tightly as she should especially at the end.  Also starting off with a clutch of 18 probably meant some had set earlier than others and I just had to choose the most likely 7 warmer ones to let her sit on till hatch so i'm not too surprised they didn't do as well as normal.

I'll get some more shots when she takes them out foraging.  Meamwhile the other new arrivals who came today Minnie and Maxine Carole's baby Saddlebacks.



HF

[Tigerwren]

HF, sorry to hear about the dead chick and the ones that didn't hatch, it's a shame.  I bet she will be great in the end and if they are as beautiful as her, you will have some fab girls running around.  I have to say that I am so jealous of you little piggies!!! They are absolutely fabulous!!

[bantam novice]

What a great story 
Sorry one chick didn't make it but at least she will have some to look after and teach.  I have a broody whose eggs are due to hatch any day now.  I haven't seen any pipping yet but I can't wait.  I haven't candled any but I am hoping that at least some of the ten she is on are viable as she hasn't rolled any out.  We shall see 

[hillfooter]

Well as it was Easter Sunday and a glorious day the family came round to exchange Easter eggs and look at the new arrivals.  Although the two baby Saddleback pigs were the stars of the show Anastasia's Easter chicks were a close second so it gave me an opportunity to get a couple more shots.  It was also a momentous ocassion for Isabella our little Granddaughter who took her first steps yesterday.



Isabella meets the chicks.



Then we all sat down for lunch on the terrace and Miles and I tried out my first (in a long time) excursion into brewing, Woodfordes Nelson's Revenge.  After lunch I was going to let Anastasia take the chicks a little further a field as they had been confined in the house and attached run up to now but  .............. what're those birds circling overhead!



Three Red Kites!



They are all in this much magnified shot the two not so clear are top left and bottom right.

Well that's put an end to thoughts of allowing the chicks out today.  Maybe tomorrow.

HF