The New Hanover County Arboretum became home to at least nine baby chickens on Tuesday after three weeks of incubation at the county gardens. 
A project of the New Hanover County 4-H, the arboretum took possession of a dozen chicken eggs three weeks ago, with nine chicks hatching in the incubator on Tuesday and at least one more hatching possible on Wednesday. With news of the hatching, more than 130 people have visited the chicks so far.
“We’re really lucky to have 10,” said Ranger Kelejian, 9, who helped turn the eggs three times each day, including coming to the arboretum on weekends to help monitor.
The arboretum has hosted chicks in prior years, but didn’t in 2015 due to the avian influenza outbreak. Arboretum staffer Marge Parrazzo said in years past as few as six chicks survived, and she suspected the success this year was due to Kelejian’s and others’ diligence to keep the eggs regularly turned, even on weekends. County extension agent Leslie Dill helped manage the project, Parrazzo said.
The eggs were kept in an incubator that kept the temperature for the chicks at 100 degrees, Parrazzo said, and once the chicks feathers dry out in two days or so, they will be placed in a brooder box, where the chicks will be there to grow for two more weeks before being sent to various homes in the area.
One will be Kelejian, who said he will keep three hens at his Wilmington home after separating out the roosters.
The chicks have brought many people to the arboretum this week. Miriam Pohl, of Hamstead, has brought her granddaughters Norah and Camille to see the eggs hatch.
“We’ve been watching the eggs for quite a few days,” Pohl said. “We love to come here, to see the chicks, feed the fish and learn about the trees.”
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