Thursday, October 7, 2010

Sunny's Special Baby

On a recent blog post A Brighter Verde Farm we introduced you to our special bantam hen, Sunny,  or  Sunny De-Light, as cleverly coined by one of our readers. You may remember her determination to have her own clutch.  She tried so many times to have her own biddies, but for some reason or another her babies would never hatch. That is until the day she adopted an errant light bulb left in the coop by the hubby. She also laid and sat on her own eggs.  She had the eggs beneath her and the bulb under her wing.


Sunny D. sat patiently on the light bulb and eggs for weeks. Her big day arrived one chilly fall morning, when her wings began to peep, maybe even squeak, as the feeders were filled.  On closer inspection, her wings rustled. Suddenly a tiny head parted the feathers and quickly pulled back. It's a baby. Sunny's finally a mama.

After Brightie was born, Sunny abandoned her other eggs. The light bulb didn't fare any better. When it was picked up for the trash, it had been pushed to the other side of the coop.


Brightie has a big personality. Her mother is extremely protective. She tries to take the little tyke out to the run but the baby is too small to jump up to the ramp leading outside. Sunny sometimes goes ahead,  leaving the chick behind. But, not for long.  As the baby stands in the makeshift door and cries, cries, cries for its mother,  Sunny D. walks to the bottom of the ramp, turns around and walks back up. In less than 15 seconds, baby and mother are reunited.


We are so pleased with the new arrival and as predicted, Sunny's baby has made Verde a much "Brighter" place.



See a video clip of mama and baby:



24 comments:

Unknown said...

So sweet! I am going to show this to the kids when they get home from school...they thought the light bulb was so funny, but they will be happy she is a mama now.
xo,

annie

Farm Girl said...

So very sweet, what a very sweet Bantam Mommy. I love bantams and what wonderful Moms they are. Mine are driving me nuts because that is all they want to do is be broody.
I keep hoping with it being cooler now they will decide to give it up.
What kind of Bantam is she?

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Such a sweet mum, and I always remember my uncle's Bantam hens they were forever 'nesting' something.
What a cute little chick !

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Wow what characters chickens are. The new chick is so sweet. What happy days you must have with all your wonderful farm animals.

Angela said...

That is so sweet Amy! She is a mama now! Love their names!

Have a Great Day!
Angela

Unknown said...

So glad I found you ..I have come across from The Garden Bell... I love the story and will be coming back to check out the other stories as they are printed..:))

Country Gal said...

Our banty's were the same my banty Charlet had taken over another hens eggs and sat upon them and addopted all the chicks once they hatched ! Have a great day !

Maureen said...

Oh what a sweet story and the cutest little chickie ever!

Leah said...

Cute story - welcome Brightie - great name! Way to go mama!

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

Oh, that is just the sweetest thing ever. And the video, what a wonderful mama and baby.
Chris

Country at Heart said...

Wont be long - in days that chick will be hoping in and out just like its mama. :) they learn quick

Michelle said...

I love this. How sweet that she is finally a mama.

Farm Girl said...

Hi Amy, I don't know if you do blog awards but I nominated you for one so if you want it, it is on my page.
:)

kimberly wheat said...

Ok, the cutest thing I've ever seen. And she sat on a light bulb? Oh what fun you have there!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

oooh, i want to pet the baby! i just played it for your uncle and he looked over with a scowl and refused to stop watching wvu to see this darling little thing! grrrr.

Sharon said...

That story and the clip are just so precious! Fun post!

Welcome to my blog and I will be following you!

Janice Grinyer said...

I just love your chickenmom, "Sunny D!! A chicken who understands that some of us can only handle one or two children at a time lol Looks like she has her hands err her wings busy! God blessed one child for each hand of mine, and I know that was enough for me ! (although i did not have an extraordinary attachment to light bulbs like Sunny D; in fact I hate the mercury filled ones with a passion, and point at them, declaring to the world its poison and its bad "lightness"...but I digress! sorry!)

You have a wonderful blog, count me in!

Inger said...

What a lovely post. And your entire blog is just beautiful. So country peaceful, somehow. I love it and will check out Farm Girl next.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Hey, Amy, nice to meet you! I love your post about Brightie...it gave me goosebumps!...:) JP

Coon Hollow Farm said...

Oh Amy, what a precious story, thanks for sharing it! Dawn

Carol............. said...

Congrads to Sunny..... How wonderful and fun to be a mom with only one kid at a time to worry about! LOL

Rural Rambler said...

Oh my gosh Amy that video is so sweet. My heart wants to break when that baby starts peeping but Sunny gets right back there and lets that baby know she is there! Sweet post Amy! Nice read this morning and that shot of Sunny and her light bulb-priceless :)

Kent Island Red said...

If that isn't just the sweetest thing EVER! Thank you for sharing. I loved the video!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Amy this video is priceless! What a sweet Momma to stick with her chick. We've got 3 of our Buff Orpingtons gone broody at the moment...two are from our chicks we bought this spring. I've taken one of the hens and 6 eggs and put her in another pen to see if she'll hatch them. The other two I'll keep taking off the nest and see if I can get them out of their broodiness. I need the boxes for the layers! Thanks for sharing this sweet moment with us. Take care. Maura :)