| Cuddles was hatched in the FACS Farm ‘Incubation Room.’ She used her only tooth - the egg tooth - to pip or break out of her shell into a new world of controlled light and warmth. She was damp when she hatched and took about 1-2 hours to dry off and become fluffy. Once Emma took Cuddles from the hatching tray to the barn, she watched Cuddles quickly begin to search for food, which is always available. Cuddles was also attracted to the drop of fresh water hanging on the end of the shiny water nipple and learned to drink right away. From a tiny chick with yellow fluff, Cuddles quickly grew into a healthy hen with white feathers, a yellow beak, a red comb and light brown eyes. At 19 weeks of age, Cuddles started to lay eggs and she can lay about six eggs a week. Cuddles stays healthy because Emma feeds her a balanced mixture of wheat, barley, corn and soybean or canola meal, with the right blend of vitamins and minerals. There is also oyster shell in Cuddle’s food to make sure she has plenty of calcium to build strong bones and lay eggs with strong shells. |
