[Bionic]

My light sussex hen has been rearing 4 chicks that I bought by post. She is a great mum. They have a little hutch in the stable which I opened when they were a few days old and put a barrier round so that mum could stretch her legs but the chicks couldn't get out.
Well they are now 2 weeks old and have been getting out of their little pen for more than a week but are still confined to the stable. Mum walks round the stable with them watching whatever they do.
When I bring food she like to 'vet' it first. She gets upset if I put it directly into the bowl, prefering instead to take it from my hands and then giving it to the chicks when she has inspected it.
Awww, isn't mother nature wonderful.
 

[Mammyshaz]

Aw well done mum 

[Lagmore]

Sally,
 
They are lovely - what breeds are the chicks?
 
Ali.

[heidih]

Awww such a cute photo..! well done mummy..

[Bionic]

Ali, the chicks are 2 French Copper Blue Marans and 2 Barred Wyandottes. I can just see some barred feathers arriving on a couple so I know which is which now.
Sally

[Victorian Farmer]

YOU SHOULD GET SOME LEG BANDS PRINTED WHIT bh ON .YOU WILL NO ITS A BEST HEN AND NOT FOR SALE THESE HENS ARE WOTH THERE WAIT IN GOLD .IM naw making my new mums the very best gold silki as big as you can get then my light Sussex ,you will get gold and white chicks gold are the hens this will be the mothers off 2013 .

[Bionic]

Thanks VF, As I only have 4 hens then it isn't difficult for me to know which is which. Your suggestion is a good idea though if my flock increases.
Well with the 4 chicks I suppose ita already doubled 
Sally

[HelenVF]

Very cute. I love watching broody hens with their chicks.  Can wqtch them for hours.

Helen

[Lagmore]

Will you keep them all? Blue Marans are brilliant - lovely dark brown eggs!

[Bionic]

Lagmore, I bought the eggs by post. The Wyandotte because I like the look of them and the Marans for the colour of their eggs. So in answer to your question, if they are hens then I will be keeping them. The cockerels will go for the pot if i can pluck up the courage.
Sally

[Mrs Snoodles]

Fingers crossed for you that you have hens.  I have loads of cockerels his year but the four poss six new pullets that I have, are really lovely.  I do love the boys too, but can only keep so many