Ten Tiny Eggs and A Whole Lot of Heart

Our time with the chicks at Bee Fold 🐣

We recently welcomed some very special guests to Bee Fold – ten tiny eggs, delivered safely in their incubator, ready to hatch. And while we knew it would be exciting, none of us quite expected just how much joy they’d bring.

There was a real buzz – the people we support gathered around, team members watched closely, and everyone got involved. We all enjoyed guessing when they’d arrive, what gender they might be, how long it would take them to hatch, and even what names to give them. The very first chick to hatch came very early in the morning and was lovingly named Hope by our night team. 💛

As one of the people we support, Peter, put it:

“It was quite something to watch them hatch from the egg - and we learnt so much.”

A little bit of calm, a lot of connection

It wasn’t just about how cute they were (though they really were very cute). The chicks brought a whole new energy to the home. They gave people a reason to come out of their rooms, to chat, to laugh, to share memories. Even the families loved it too!

We shared regular photo updates with loved ones, and when they visited, they got stuck in – holding the chicks, asking questions, and learning alongside us.

Even our night and day team members felt more connected, coming together for every hatch and celebrating the little milestones along the way.

Things we learnt (that surprised us!)

We learnt so much – not just about chicks, but ourselves too! A few favourite fun facts:

• Chicks can fall asleep sat bolt upright 😴

• Their eyelids close upwards, not down (!?)

• Chicks are very clever! Even at a day or two old, they’ll show you if they’re too warm or too cold, just by where they settle in their brooder box

• They’re curious, gentle, and surprisingly calming to be around

We even introduced some little toys to their space and loved watching how they reacted. The chicks didn’t mind being stroked or held, making it very easy for everyone to get involved.

Timelapse of the chick hatching 🐣

A gentle goodbye – and lovely new beginnings

While most of the eggs hatched, two sadly didn’t make it. That was emotional, especially after hearing the faint tweeting from inside their shells. But with support from the Living Eggs team, we knew it was time to say goodbye for them. And we made sure to do so gently, with care and kindness. It was a reminder of just how much we’d come to care for these tiny lives in such a short time.

Beth, one of our team members, shared:

“It was a lovely experience – but sad to see two eggs not make it. It was interesting to learn the process and outcome of that situation.”

When it came for the chicks to leave us, two of our team members offered them a loving home – and we’re still getting updates as they grow! It’s a lovely feeling knowing they’re nearby and well looked after.

Would we do it all again? Maybe not in the same way. Looking after chicks takes a lot of time and care, and saying goodbye wasn’t easy. But we’re glad we did it. The joy, connection, and calm they brought into our days will stay with us for a long time.

What’s next at Bee Fold? 🐹🦋

Our time with the chicks has definitely sparked something. We’ve got guinea pigs arriving in August, a butterfly experience lined up. And we’re really looking forward to more gentle, joyful moments with the animals that continue to bring smiles and connection to life at Bee Fold.