Mine free range too. So the best way to get them is as night while they are asleep. But for the Vet that comes out, I just wont let them out of the coop that day. Then I can grab them one by one. Or rather I send my 4 year old after them. She is a world class chicken catcher! Much better than...
It looks like it's free in AZ. It cost $25 here in TN for the whole flock. They come and take a blood sample from the whole flock to check for diseases. Each state checks for different ones. Here is a list of all states in case anyone else wants to know about NPIP certs for your chickens...
I don't know what is going on with the chicks. It looks as if they didn't form fully. I would stick them in a ziplock bag and freeze them. Then I would call your local State Veterinarian Arizona Department of Agriculture...
Bad news. My 4 year old thought it was a good idea to raid the nest. I lost all 15 eggs under my broody. Poor Buffy has to start over. I put 2 golf balls under her and will start collecting eggs from her again. On the up side, I put 46 eggs in the incubator today. My little girls has lost her...
Oh I want to join! I had a Buff Orphangton go broody so I stuffed 15 eggs under her from FEB 21st-24th. And Now I'm collecting them to set in an incubator. I started collecting Feb 25th and will stop MAR 3rd. I found a local guy who hatches for .50 a chick. The great thing is he has a web cam...