Chicks Being Born

Because you asked, here's a video of chicks being born. If you look at the left hand side, there are two in the process of being born. All these chicks are less than three hours old.

Press 'full screen' on the video for a better look.


One thing that most people don't realize is that you have to let the chicks struggle out of the shell. If you help them, they lose their vigor and it results in weak chicks. They often won't survive if you help them.

Comments

Dru said…
WOW. I was rooting for the one in the middle because he wouldn't get up or turn over.
Maria Zannini said…
Dru: Not to worry. He's fluffy and perky this morning.
Linda Leszczuk said…
Okay, incredibly stupid city dweller question...the chick on his back - was that an umbilical cord? Why have I never thought of chicks as having umbilical cords?

The one on the far left would have had an easier time if the silly yellow chick hadn't kept sitting on him.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: In a way. The cells that eventually produce a chick attach blood vessels to the yolk, where it'll gets its nourishment.

Development and birth is an amazing process.
Unknown said…
Wow, that's just...wow. :)
Sarah Ahiers said…
Yay for little chicks! go go go!
Angela said…
Wow, look at them go!
Joanne said…
Mother Nature has a way of taking care of herself, doesn't she? That struggle is full of reason. Fascinating clip, Maria.
Maria Zannini said…
I never get tired of watching chicks hatch. It's a metaphor for life in all its forms.
Angelina Rain said…
Wow, they are so adorable. Too bad they grow up. If they stayed that small forever, I would probably get a few and keep them as pets.

I was rooting for the one on his back. He seemed to have a difficult time getting up. And the funny yellow chick who kept sitting on the hatching chick was too adorable. I want him!

Thanks for sharing this video.
Sherri said…
Very cool. Thanks for sharing that Maria.
Maria Zannini said…
The one of his back was really struggling, especially after his buds started to pounce on him, so I turned him belly down.

When I checked on him this morning, he was perfectly fine.

The first roll out of bed is always the hardest. ;-)
Jackie said…
It has been years since I got to see this sight Maria, thanks for sharing... I played it a few times because it freaked my Chihuahua out with the cheeping, he could not figure out where it was coming from!
Rula Sinara said…
Oh, soooo cute! I had my kids watch it too :)
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: Tank does the same thing. He watches the monitor and then he looks behind it to see if he can see where the chicks are going.

Rula: Every child should witness birth. It stays with you.
Cathy in AK said…
Sooooo cute! My girls and I were completely enchanted by them. I didn't realize helping chicks hatch would be detrimental. Says a lot about showing fortitude and determination from the get-go.

RE: children witnessing birth--Agreed! And, if shown to teens, it also acts as a wonderful deterent to unprotected sex. My f-i-l had his kids watch one of his cows give birth. Parental mission accomplished :)
Maria Zannini said…
Cathy: That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. :)
Meghan S. said…
that was the cutest thing I've seen in a while :)
Incredibly cute! I'm happy the one in the middle is fine now. The first time you saw this, did you have to hold your hands behind your back to keep from helping? ;)
Incredibly cute! I'm happy the one in the middle is fine now. The first time you saw this, did you have to hold your hands behind your back to keep from helping? ;)
Ellie Garratt said…
Oh, wow. Bless them. Too cute!

Ellie Garratt
Mike Keyton said…
If you help them, they lose their vigor and it results in weak chicks. They often won't survive if you help them

Republican chicks...? Hmmm.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I did when I used to raise emu and rhea. But now I know it's for the best.


Mike: LOL. There's a difference between a handout and a helping hand. But in the case of chicks, neither is to their benefit.
Claudia Zurc said…
Isn't Mother Nature wonderful? I had heard about this, not helping the chicks out of their shells. Boy, and we humans need to be pulled out by doctors :( Perhaps that's why we're so spiritually weak. Thank you for sharing this lovely video.
Cheers!
P.S. My cat was sleeping when I watched the video. As soon as she heard the chicks, her ears perked up, she got up, stared at the video and started meowing :))
Mike Keyton said…
Claudia, your cat just wanted to...help
Maria Zannini said…
Claudia: My dogs get all excited too. They are very sympathetic to vulnerable cheeping or whining sounds.


Mike: Shouldn't you be guarding your a spot on the parade grounds in London? LOL. Or have you had enough wedding hoopla for one lifetime?
Anonymous said…
So cute! Chirp chirp! Love them :O)