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Real-life homesteading magic — a glimpse into the journey of our hen Goldie as she laid, sat, and hatched her very own brood of fluffy little chicks
There are moments in homesteading that just feel magical, and this Easter brought one of those unforgettable gifts. Our sweet hen Goldie became a mother—on her very own birthday, no less!
Goldie is an Easter Egger, known for their stunning blue-green eggs and gentle personalities. She’s a golden and bluish beauty, now four years old, and true to her name, she was born on Easter Sunday. This year, as if to write the perfect storybook ending, her chicks hatched on Easter Sunday—the same day she was born.
I wasn’t even home when Goldie first entered the world. My husband, Tracy, had to step in when the other hens turned on her. He rescued that tiny chick and protected her, which forged a bond that still lasts. Tracy has had a soft spot for Goldie ever since.
Fast forward to April 1st of this year—Goldie went broody. Easter Eggers are known to take their sweet time with everything: they lay later than other breeds and rarely go broody. But when Goldie decided it was time, she was patient, determined, and yes, a little grouchy (which only made me love her more).
We honestly thought maybe two or three eggs would hatch, so imagine our joy when seven fluffy little chicks made their appearance! I was over the moon.
Each morning now, I let the rest of the flock out to free range, and leave Goldie and her chicks in the pen where they have the whole space to themselves. She’s doing a fantastic job showing them the ropes. She keeps trying to coax them up the ladder to the upper roosting area, but they’re still just a bit too tiny to make the climb. So last night, we set her up with a cozy nesting box on the lower level, filled with fresh hay. That’s where they all tucked in to sleep.
Here’s the thing: letting a hen raise her own chicks is a true gift. She does all the work. No brooder box, no heat lamp, no fuss. She keeps them warm, teaches them how to eat, scratch, and dust bathe. She even disciplines them with a gentle peck if they get too far ahead of themselves.
Benefits of letting a broody hen hatch eggs:
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Less stress and responsibility on you
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Chicks learn chicken behaviors faster
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Stronger immunity from mama’s guidance
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Less mess and equipment required indoors
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Mama is fiercely protective, which means higher survival rates
Watching Goldie raise her little ones is like watching nature do exactly what it was designed to do. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love this lifestyle so much.
