Chicks Away!

Well it finally happened. When we got up this morning all doubt as to whether we could hear noises in the incubator was dispelled, as the clear sound of cheeping was audible in the next room! One of the eggs was cracked but no chicks were visible.

I had to leave for work, and assumed that the chick would emerge minutes later, but in fact a different chick hatched 11 hours later, and the original cheeper didn't come out until nearly 14 hours later. It looks a bit worn out!

The first to hatch (Squeak) is a Buff Sussex, and the second (Liquorice) a Barnevelder. They are quite noisy - I'm now wondering whether they will keep me awake - they are certainly noisy enough! We're now hoping that they keep hatching, as there are still 13 eggs in there.