New Additions to the Farm! 
We have babies! As part of our preparation for upcoming lessons and public events, we let one of our broody hens hatch a couple of eggs! Broodiness is a natural, instinctual behavior of hens, causing them to lay a clutch of eggs and then sit on the eggs for around 21 days before they hatch. She only leaves her nest for short periods to eat and do her business, then she’s right back on her nest, keeping the eggs nice and warm. When her brood hatches, her instincts cause her to become very protective of her babies.
This mama hen is a Cochin Bantam. Cochin chickens are heavily feathered and even have feathered legs. And the name Bantam refers to the smaller size, about ¼ the size of standard chickens. The eggs that Bantam hens lay are ½ the size of a regular large chicken egg.
Come visit the barn during Afternoon Explorations Thursday and Friday 1:30-5PM beginning September 14th to see these tiny new additions!