Happy Easter, friends! It is a beautiful Sunday here at the farm, and while we are taking a moment to reflect on the ultimate miracle of the Resurrection, we are also keeping a very close eye on the dozens of tiny miracles happening right under our noses. If you have been following our journey lately, you know that things are rarely quiet at Faithful Flock Farm, but this week has taken "busy" to a whole new level. We have officially entered what we are calling Chick Watch 2026, and let us tell you, the excitement is contagious.
Mama has been running from the coop to the garage and back again, making sure everyone is tucked in and fed. Since the weather has been a bit of a rollercoaster, she has been keeping a fruit smoothie close by to stay hydrated while she manages the chaos. Between the spring cleaning, the incubator clicking away, and the actual "musical chairs" we are playing with our brooders, there is never a dull moment. We are so grateful for this season of growth, even if it means our wings are a little full right now.
The Great Musical Brooders Shuffle
If you have ever raised chickens, you know that timing is everything. We currently have several different groups of birds at various stages of growth, and moving them around is like a high-stakes puzzle. Right now, Mama Esther and Mama Lovely are doing an incredible job caring for our Brahma and Leghorn teenagers. These girls are getting big, and they are full of personality.
The good news is that the Brahma and Leghorn teens have now successfully moved to Mimi’s coop with Mamas Lovely and Esther. It was a big step for them, and we are thankful to see everyone settling in well.
There is an especially sweet part of this story that we do not want to miss. After the storm, Grandpa put his hands to work on Mimi’s coop and fixed it up with so much care. Then he surprised Mama by painting it a beautiful red, and it turned into one of those simple farm moments that felt extra special. It was such a loving bit of handiwork, and it made the girls’ new home feel all the more welcoming.
The first night in the coop brought a little drama, too. Mamas Lovey, Ester, and one of the Leghorns settled right onto the roosts like they had been there forever. The Brahma teenagers, however, had other ideas. They cried until dark, missing their old cozy spot where they used to huddle together. Mama tried helping them onto the roosts, and then onto a special straw-covered shelf Grandpa built, but they were not having it. In the end, she had to leave them to figure out their new big-girl house on their own terms.
One of them especially did not want to go to Mimi’s coop. He made his feelings very clear and even bit Mama in the middle of all the moving around. She had to give him a very firm talking to, which felt equal parts serious and a little funny once the moment had passed.
Before the evening was done, Mama made one final count to be sure every girl was tucked in safe after a long day of yard exploration. That last quiet check always brings a little peace at the end of a full farm day.
It is also starting to look like there is at least one rooster in that Brahma bunch, and maybe even three. Those teenage days can be full of surprises, and it is always something when they start showing their true colors.
Mama is not too worried about the potential roosters in the mix. She also has a couple more Brahmas currently with Mama Florence, and she is praying those turn out to be hens. Mama is planning to get a few more Brahma eggs soon, too, to help round out the group.
However, Mama has already realized that if a rooster happens to join that flock, we are going to need yet another coop. We want to make sure the Brahmas can be bred properly and kept in a safe, controlled environment. It seems like as soon as we finish one project, the next one is already calling our names.
While Esther and Lovely are handling the teenagers, Mama Shadow is deep in the thick of it. She is currently raising a full flock that includes Rhode Island Reds and Marans. Let us just say, her wings are truly full. She is a dedicated mama, but you can tell she is working hard to keep everyone in line. On the other hand, Mama Florence has politely declined participation at this time. She decided she needed a bit of a break, and we respect her boundaries. Every hen has her own temperament, and we try to listen to what they are telling us.
Stories from the Cozy Indoor Nursery
Since the weather has been a bit too chilly for the youngest ones, we have had a group tucked inside the house in a cozy bedroom for now. They got a few precious hours outside yesterday when the sun was peeking through, but with the cold rain moving back in, they were safely settled back into their indoor brooder. Today is another big transition day, because the garage girls are making their move to Haven’s coop at noon with two Mamas.
And now for the hatch update we have been waiting on, we now have 9 new babies. That includes 3 Ayam Cemani, 1 Serama, and 5 from our own flock. We are so thankful for each tiny life, and it has been a joy to watch these little ones begin finding their place here on the farm.
There was such a sweet moment yesterday when Mama brought the little ones back inside. She took the tiny Rhode Island Red chick who had been spending time with the two Seramas and returned her to the main group. Well, those Seramas were not happy at all that she had disappeared for a while. They made quite a fuss!
To help balance things out, Mama brought in another little one, one of our Ghost Zombies, and placed her with Midnight’s group. A little while later, Mama went to check on them and saw the cutest thing. Midnight was standing right next to the Ghost Zombie chick, and it honestly looked like she was giving her a full tour of the room, telling her everything that goes on in their cozy little bedroom setup.
Nearby, two of our unnamed chicks had paired up, and then there was Brownie. That name just came to Mama while she was watching them. Brownie was huddled up with a little yellow Serama, and it looked for all the world like she was telling her stories about the sunshine and the green grass they had seen earlier that day. It is these little interactions that remind us why we love what we do. These birds are not just livestock, they are creatures with their own little lives and friendships.
The Mercy Coop Restoration
While the chicks were socializing in the garage, Mama was tackling a much less glamorous job: the Mercy Coop. To put it politely, the run was starting to stink to high heaven. With the wet spring weather we have been having, the straw was just not cutting it anymore. Mama finally had enough and decided it was time for a total overhaul.
She moved all the hens and roosters out into a safely protected area in the woods so they could forage while she worked. Then, the real work began. She raked and hauled out as much old straw as she could, taking it out to the woods to decompose. The more she raled, the worse the smell got, but she pushed through.
The goal is to transition the run to a sand base, which stays much cleaner and is easier on the birds' feet. Mama started with six bags of sand, thinking it might be a good start. Well, she quickly realized that six bags didn't even make a dent. She told Uncle that she is probably going to need about 60 more bags to get the depth we need.
Even though it isn't finished, she managed to spread what she had and then added a thick layer of First Saturday Lime over the entire run and inside the coop. This helps neutralize odors and keeps the environment healthy. Grandpa jumped in to help as well, adding gravel around the edges of the coop to help divert the rainwater. They were both moving as fast as they could because they could see the storm clouds rolling in.
A Community Request: We Need Your Help!
This brings us to a very important part of our update. As you can see, the "Musical Brooders" situation is only going to get more intense. We now have 9 baby chicks hatched, including Seramas, Ayam Cemanis, and several chicks from our own flock, and they are going to need a place to go.
As those new babies settle in, the girls currently in the garage are moving out to Haven’s coop today at noon with two Mamas. Mama did a deep clean on Haven’s coop yesterday to get everything ready, and now it is fresh, clean, and waiting for its new residents. But before everything is fully settled, the Mercy Coop still needs to be finished. It is a lot of heavy lifting, and we are reaching out to our local community in Clarksville, Ohio, for a little assistance.
We are in urgent need of:
- Wood Chips (for bedding and moisture control)
- Fill Dirt (to help level out the areas around the coops)
Mama is busy 24/7 taking care of the babies we have, the ones coming, and the ones already here. If you have a way to deliver wood chips or fill dirt to us, we would be forever grateful.
As a special thank you, if you deliver a load of wood chips or fill dirt to the farm, Mama will give you a dozen of our fresh, colorful eggs on the house.
It is a win-win! You help us create a cleaner, safer home for our "Ghost Zombies," Cream Legbars, Americanas, Isbars, and Speckled Sussex, and you get to take home the best eggs in Ohio.
If you can help, or if you know someone who can, please call or text Mama at 513-607-1317.
Security and Supervision
Lest you think Mama and Grandpa are doing this all alone, don't worry. Milo and Panda Bear are on full supervision duty at the farm. They take their jobs very seriously. Whether they are watching the chicks in the house or keeping an eye on the progress at the Mercy Coop, they are always right there in the middle of the action.
Yesterday, they were perfect gentlemen sharing the yard with the whole flock. It was one of those peaceful farm moments that makes you stop and smile, and Milo and Panda Bear handled their supervision beautifully. At the same time, the hens found their own idea of fun and turned the garden beds into dust baths. Thankfully, the strawberries were covered, so no harm was done, but it did give us a good laugh. A new fence has officially made its way onto the to-do list after that little garden spa incident.
They especially like it when Mama Esther stops by to visit the younger ones before she heads back to check on Sunshine, Mohawk, Dolly, and Feisty. Those four are always getting into some kind of trouble, and Mama Lovely usually ends up needing Esther’s help to keep them contained. It really does take a village, even in the chicken world!
Looking Ahead with Faith
As we look at the empty eggshells in the incubator and the fresh sand in the coop, we are reminded of the beauty of new beginnings. This farm is a testament to God’s provision and the joy of stewardship. It is hard work, and our backs might be a little sore by the end of the day, but seeing a healthy chick take its first breath or watching a hen enjoy the sunshine makes it all worth it.
If you aren't able to help with dirt or wood chips, we always appreciate your prayers and your business. We still have eggs for sale, and buying a dozen helps us keep this whole operation running. Plus, it prevents us from having even more chicks than we can handle, because let’s be honest, if we didn't sell them, we would probably try to hatch them all!
Thank you for being part of the Faithful Flock Farm family. We hope your Easter is filled with peace, joy, and perhaps a few tiny miracles of your own. We are grateful for these 9 new babies, for safe moves into Mimi’s coop and Haven’s coop, and for the quiet grace the Lord gives us in the middle of busy days.
Mama’s counters are absolutely overflowing with fresh eggs right now, and this is such a sweet time to stop by the farm. If you are nearby, we would love for neighbors and friends to come grab a dozen, or two, and maybe even catch a tiny peek at the new babies. Every bit of support helps us keep the flock happy and the cycle of life moving along beautifully here at Faithful Flock Farm.
"And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." : Genesis 2:15 (KJV)
With love and gratitude,
The Girls of Faithful Flock Farm 🤍🐣
Contact Mama at 513-607-1317 for eggs or delivery coordination!
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