How small would they be??

The days ticked by and we admired Carpet for her dedication as she brooded the eggs for over 23 hours each day, taking only the shortest of breaks to eat and drink.

As such there were limited opportunities to observe the eggs and so every so often we would delve underneath her feathers to check that they hadn't gone addled or to see if there were signs of pipping.

As the days went by with no changes apparent, we started to think that the eggs were not viable after all, but that said we couldn't help but allow ourselves to wonder that if one did hatch how small the chick would actually be. When compared to a chicken egg that of a bantam is tiny.

It was hard to imagine how small these youngsters were going to be and we wondered were we going to be privileged to get to see one? 

Day 21 arrived, and whilst sowing my salad trays in the potting shed, I was in the right place at the right time to see Carpet leave her nest and stretch her wings - so I took the opportunity to take a peep at the eggs.

To my amazement there was a tiny hole forming in the top of one of the eggs - wow, I carefully lifted it up and put it to my ear, to hear a soft pipping noise. I couldn't believe it I was holding an egg that was about to hatch - fantastic. This tiny little egg was about to break open and bring a new life into the world - Melv - the chicks are on their way!

We watched eagerly throughout the day, however it wasn't until the next day that we got our first glimpse, with an eggshell by Carpet's side a chick appeared from under her feathers, so we knew she had hatched at least one youngster.

She sat tight for the next 2 days and then she finally made a move and left the nest, to reveal that 6 of the 7 eggs had hatched, we were yet to see them as she carefully kept them underneath her.

Finally on day 3 we got our first sight of 3 of the chicks - little bundles of energetic fluff. Carpet was very attentive and kept them close to her, very vulnerable to cold and wet at this age she was taking no risks.

Then on day 4 our patience was rewarded and all 6 chicks appeared, beautifully marked, and so cute they gathered round their mum waiting for her to direct them to food.

For the first 6 days we confined the new family to the coup, to keep them safe and offer some protection, whilst giving them freedom to find their feet. However, on day 6 Carpet was desperate to leave the confines of the coup and take her little brood out in the wider pen. We were a little unsure, as these tiny little balls of fluff would easily get through even the small meshed chicken wire which enclosed the area.

But we needn't have worried Carpet was such an attentive mother they rarely left her side as she took they round the pen foraging and scratching for food.

By day 7 the chick's wing feathers start to appear and you could really start to see they were growing from tiny balls of fluff to a more defined shape.

Day 8 their wings continue to grow and their markings become more distinctive, they are growing fast and extremely active foraging for food under the guidance of their admirable mother.

Now just over a week old the little 'uns are adorable, with tiny wings that they regularly exercise, fluffy legs and feet and bright eyes. Extremely vocal, active and unbelievably cute they are fascinating to watch and provide us with constant entertainment. 

It is certainly true to say that the simple things in life are often the best and are there to be enjoyed. Hatching out eggs was always a part of keeping chickens that we were keen to do, but there never seemed to be the time.  Now each day we look forward to seeing these little youngsters grow and develop - how lucky we are!