Now, you have to understand that in the wild the chicken success rate is only 80%. Professional incubators get between 60-70%. And there was a teacher in our school that said that she did it for 3 or 4 years, and didn't get a single chick. Needless to say, I was a little worried. But, I kept holding out... We've prayed... God understands our hearts' desire... so we just need to be patient.
The day..... ticked...... on..... and...... on.... and on......
Finally, around 1:45, I prayed a quick "Dear, Lord, please help something to happen to these eggs!" And when I peered in, there was a crack in one! I was thrilled. Literally, I ran up to my mom's room to let her class know. I was expecting a good, quick hatching. Cuz, it's gotta hatch by 3:30, before the kids leave! Haha.... well... at 4 when I left... the crack wasn't any bigger than when I first noticed. So.... I left... leaving God and nature to work things out.
Yesterday (Thursday morning), I came in to school to the lovely site of a chick... patiently waiting in the incubator for me to let her out. Thus I did! And we watched her alllllll day long... what a thrill! So that brings my percentage to about 16% success rate. Not too shabby for my first time.
Last night, I took a shower... and don't you know that when I came out, another one had cracked! Woohoo, I thought, won't that be cool... 33%? It was early, so I kept my eye on it all night... and nothing happened. I woke up, expecting it to hatch over the night... and nothing. So I went to work. We enjoyed our little chick (affectionately call her "Peep"). It was before school started when one of my students announced that there was another crack in one of my eggs! Wow, I thought... maybe 3 chicks?! Cool 50%? Well... that chick didn't hatch by the time I left school.... I brought Peep home for the weekend, cuz I don't wanna leave her alone all weekend, and figured little babe, she should have some personal care.
Boy did she screeeeeeech all the way home. It was soooooooooooooo loud, that I pulled off at the first exit. I put the box she was in on my front seat... she still was chirping way too loud for my taste... so I ended up driving home with my hand inside the box, petting her... while she pecked my hand. (Didn't hurt... but... the nerve!)
I brought her inside, ran to check the other chick, and there it was... drying off. So now, I officially had two! 33%, not too bad, I thought again. I was gonna leave the chick for a little while longer in the incubator so that he/she could dry off further before I transfered it to the coop. I was watching Dr. Phil trying to comfort my still squawking chick. So, I sat there, calming her down, only to realize that she was falling asleep. Her eyes would drift, and she would sit her legs down.. and then as soon as she laid down completely... she'd spring back up, insisting she wasn't sleeping! (Just like a toddler!) This went on for almost 25 minutes... then I thought I heard the other one still in the incubator peeping.... so I went to check on it... to my surprise I now had 2 chicks in the incubator! Not 1, but 2! I think the first one helped his brother/sister out a little bit.
So now, I have at least 3 chickens, maybe a 4th. I'm not sure about the other 2 eggs, but that brings me up to 66%.
I love it! I am a scientist. I love seeing God's handiwork throughout His creation. I mean, don't you know it, that it was exactly day 21 when my chicks started hatching! I've learned a lot through this experience... probably more than my students.... but I will never cease to be amazed with God's timing. Just when I was starting to think "maybe they won't hatch," because my odds with only 6 eggs really wasn't that good... and it was my first time... just when I started thinking that, God knocks my socks off. And just when I'm satisfied with what I have... I was thrilled to have 1! He blessed me with the thought of 2. Now, I'm on top of the world... ahead of the game... and uh... surprise! Here's one you didn't even know about!
So I'm just amazed by God's amazing work, and his creativity. It wows me to see His handiwork, and intricate design! I've also thought that, who knows, maybe sometime I have what it takes to be a mom. Course, I know that a child and chicks are completely different... but boy has this chick been annoying! I even got pooped on today at school! And you know what... my reaction was simply... ok... I can wash my hands. Now those of you who know me, know ordinarily I'd freak out... this time... NOPE... just calm... and when it was being really loud this evening, I took it out and held it close.... just trying to calm it down. Now, with the occasional peep.... our house is cozy and peaceful.
God is soooo good! That's what I've learned. I'm grateful for God for allowing me this experience, if only to learn more about Him, and gain some confidence in myself! Thanks for reading! Now, I'll show you some pictures... there will be more to come of the other two. For now... these pics are just Peep. I'll try to upload the others tomorrow (after they're a little fluffier, and cuter). Adios, all!
If you look closely, there is a crack in the egg! This is what
got this party startedon Wednesday afternoon!
This is how I found Peep when I came into school.
(The other egg on the right is the one that cracked today.)
got this party startedon Wednesday afternoon!
This is how I found Peep when I came into school.(The other egg on the right is the one that cracked today.)
Here she is after I just placed her in the coop.
Her feathers are still drying.
Litle fluffier... very aware.
Resting... she's had a long 24 hours!
Her feathers are still drying.
Litle fluffier... very aware.
Resting... she's had a long 24 hours!Stay tuned for more pictures!!
1 comment:
I have been checking like a mad woman to see if they had hatched or not! How cool!!! When we were kids, we raised bunnies! That was the most awesome experience, watching the Momma Bunny get her nest all ready for the babies to be born. (Rabbits pull out some of their fur to create a cozy, warm nest for the babies to be born!) Seeing those little rats when they were first born was awesome! They did resemble mice more than bunnies at that point, but watching them grow..soo cool! I too am amazed at how God created things! Thanks for sharing this, this is awesome. I think you would be a great mom! I'm so with you on the poop, puke thing....but you get over it...I promise! Micah projectile vomited on me in the airport and again on the plane as we were leaving his birth city. Cleaned up with baby wipes, and went on our merry way. :) You will see....so about that....???? Ha-ha!
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