Oh ye of little faith

This hen began setting a nest in mid-October.  The other hens all went into their moult, so there was only one egg under her.  Doubting anything could come of it with temperatures rapidly cooling down, I let her follow her hormones.

You've already guessed the end of the story!

Just this morning I was thinking "I should check my photos and see how long she's been setting."  Turns out there was no need for that.  This afternoon I brought the chickens all the goop from the squash I was baking.  When I peeked in at Super Mama I heard some faint peeping.  Honestly!

So I hurriedly got the isolation pen enclosed (I'd taken some of the wire down so that all the birds had free range through that space.  I really did not expect a chick!).  Brought water and a separate feeder.  Added fresh straw to the box.

And then caused the hen one final injustice, when I reached under her and grabbed out her baby.  Oh the uproar!  The violation!  The alarm!  As soon as I could get a word in, I said "for goodness sake, you're going too!" and I grabbed the hen and raced her and her baby into their new suite.

Her first response was to poop and enormous, broody hen poop (they only leave the nest every couple of days, so it gets stored up).

Then in true motherly fashion, she exclaimed "well, we can dress this up in a minute and it will be a fine home.  This way, baby!"

And they settled right in.

If this chick breaks my bad luck chain and turns out to be a girl, I think I'll call her Faith!