My Little Red Hen

Those who know me have seen baby chicks hatch in my electric skillet after 21 days at 99 degrees. Yes, it's true, I'm rather a fanatic. And "pecking order" is also true with chickens when new fowl are introduced to each other. It is NOT a pretty sight. Well, my sweet little Red Hen who imprinted on me as she gazed up from her cracked egg in the electric skillet (and should have no idea how to raise her own) has turned into the perfect little Mother Hen. She hatched three fertilized eggs which were slipped in with her own UNfertilized eggs...and voila! It is absolutely amazing to watch the instincts kick in. She keeps them safe and warm and fed. Teaches them to scratch and dig, chase bugs, and preen themselves - and, most importantly, has convinced the three other "Aunties" in the coop to all get along. No pecking order problems. She's da boss mom! :)