A Chicken Update.

Yes, our chicken is now in its 2nd week of life, and so far all is well. 
No foxes, or quolls, or wild dogs, or snakes, have found our mother hen in her "nest" under the ivy around the old tank stand.

Here she is, sitting on her chicken, apparently safe and sound, although I do worry that a predator will find her soon.

And here are few photos of her, and her chicken, out and about the farm.  The chicken is now at least 8 days old, and possibly a little older.

Here she is teaching her chick how to find food in the mulch!

...and also in the grass. What a skillful mother!

...and doesn't the chicken seem attentive?

Watching them interact is fascinating.

She uses different sounds for different messages.

So far there are  three different sounds which we can identify, and ascribe to actions.

She indicates when she senses danger, and sits quickly. The chick is just as fast getting under her wings.

There was a sudden loud noise as a tractor trundled nearby. She went immediately into her protective mode.The chick is well hidden!

Another sound calls the chick when she's digging in the soil or mulch.

And a third sound seems to indicate that what she has found is edible!

So that's the update. Keep all your fingers crossed for its survival. 

We think that it is such a cute little animal, we are willing it to survive.

 And we have no idea of its sex yet. And we aren't too sure how you sex a chicken anyway.

We thought we'd have to wait until it matures, and see if it develops like a rooster or a hen.! (Not a very scientific approach, I agree)

If it is still alive next week, I shall post more photos.