They are Everywhere

There are several mother hens in my barnyard. My laying hens in the chicken room don't hatch chicks. They are too crowded and I pull their eggs every day, denying them the opportunity for motherhood. The free range ladies manage to hide their eggs until the babes are hatched. I adore the chicks and love to watch how the moms take care of them. They strut around the barn clucking a special sound to keep the babes together. Incredibly, the hens manage to keep the cats away from the chicks. Their greatest danger is drowning in the sheep water buckets. I try to keep shallow dishes around so the chicks can get their water safely.