We received fertilized eggs from neighbour Glenn (who lives far enough out of town to have a rooster) when Lizzy (our Sussex hen) became broody. This is the second time we’ve tried, but this time we followed the-chicken-chick.com website for advice and although we started with 8 eggs, after candling them and throwing away 5, we were left with 3 eggs that hatched. They emerged the day after a violent hail storm, on the 29th of December, so we’ve called them Storm, Hail and because s/he likes to cuddle up, Angle.

A week later, there were growing winglets.

A month later, the chicks have wings and are getting up to all sorts of mischief. Lizzy has proven herself to be an excellent mother.