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I'm not sure about cooking oil, but I use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and it works well. I put it on in the evenings when the birds have roosted-- Shaun holds the flashlight while I smear it in, squishing it into raised scales. The thick consistency helps it stay on. I've been repeating every...

I get eggs with spatters on that sometimes, too. Kinda like a Jackson Pollock painting-- but much tastier!

It is always sad when the hatch doesn't turn out as you hoped. I would leave it alone and watch it closely. You are right that if you break it out too soon, the yolk may not absorb properly, or the "belly button" may not heal closed like it should. It is hard to leave something alone when...

I have never seen an aggressive rooster "calm down"....except once years ago. Shaun and I had one that, after about a year, started to run up to us and beat his wings in warning, then peck aggressively at our feet and legs. With his hands full of treats for the birds one day, Shaun was...

I have had several broodies this summer and use a similar method. I found that marking them with a crayon works ok, but keep it handy so you can re-mark as it wears off. I like to mark with the date, and a line around the entire egg so it is easy to see without turning. When you lift her to...

I can understand your reluctance to get rid of your rooster. He certainly is pretty! In my experience, a mean rooster only gets worse. A few scrapes and cuts may not be a big deal, but the injuries could become severe. He can even blind a child with his spurs. Are you comfortable being...

One of my girls has been setting on a clutch since July 5th. Last night, a black snake got in the broody coop and ate all 9 of them (weird-in 5 years, I never had a snake problem!). She went back into the layer's coop and began setting on a new clutch. I am concerned that she will not last...