DE / Wilmington - 2009-15

[MayShowers]

The chicks here are getting big.  There was a cute Youtube video from May 13 of their feeding.  I wasn't sure how to copy the link so I'm not sure if this will work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5sqzqVFcnM

[Elaine L]

Dad is in the nestbox now, trying to cover the chicks.  I think he has come to realize how hopeless it is, and has settled for sticking his chest in the general area of the chick pile.

[horus]

Dad stayed with the kids for a while. He looked as if to estimate the size of the family. He took off after that - perhaps to find more food???

[horus]

Yes, they are SOOO CUUUTE and the chick pile is certainly getting bigger. If I'm not mistaken they don't even seem to fit all under mom.

[jadoo]

...CUUUTE sprawling chick pile - no parent in sight;  boy are these chicks going to be a handful! (talonful?)...

[Elaine L]

I think it is dad in there feeding the chicks this morning, and boy, does this take a while.  If I remember correctly, the parents are young and healthy, which is very good, as they have their hands full with this brood. 

[jadoo]

...just caught a few seconds of a feeding - all 5 chicks in a tight circle, VERY intently watching the parent doling out the food - LOL - I'd be very nervous if I was the parent, and it's just going to get scarier as the get older...

[Elaine L]

I do hope the youngest chick will be able to hold his own, after hatching later than the others; he will have to work hard, I think, to make sure he gets his fair share of food and doesn't get pushed around by his older siblings.  But, considering what a rocky start we had here, it is great to have 5 chicks, which helps to make up for the depressing loss at Minnesota/Elk River.

[MayShowers]

Oh my, these are going to be two busy parents

[RCF]

 5 chicks now!! 

[Kinderchick]

4 chicks! That's great! So glad to hear the first little one is now doing well.

[bcbird]

One egg is still unhatched.

[Elaine L]

This is great news!  I am so glad that dad was able to get the little firstborn over to mom, and she was able to figure out what this whole thing was all about. 

I just checked in on the family, and mom was looking over her brood, and all looked good.

[carly]

Two feedings already this morning and everything looks good.  I guess after all those hatchings, mom finally realizes what those white things are and she's got them all tucked under her now.

[RCF]

OMG...FOUR BABIES BEING FED THIS MORNING!!!  All are active and healthly looking!!!!