2018 Newbie Chat!

[Anna Ranieri]

I dropped a roll of kitchen paper towel behind the chicken hutch, I can't reach it for the life of me but my littlest duck has discovered that by flattening herself out and crawling she can fit under the hutch and now the other 3 ducks sit waiting while she goes under to fetch some and drags it out for them to eat we are trying to work out a way to get it out without moving the hutch b'cos the hutch is quite heavy and I'm not able to move it without dragging it violently and risk injuring my back or worse still breaking or warping it! - my daughter is unable to help as she is pregnant and it is way too heavy to lift whilst pregnant, even for both of us. Trying to work out a way to block all openings so she can't get to it anymore, not had any decent ideas yet, any suggestions?
I'm hoping paper towel isn't harmful to them as they have been eating it for a few days now ( my error I hadn't realised and just thought they're found bugs )
I know it is bio degradable so I don't think it will, certainly hasn't so far any rate but I don't know

 

[CannedMonster]

I dropped a roll of kitchen paper towel behind the chicken hutch, I can't reach it for the life of me but my littlest duck has discovered that by flattening herself out and crawling she can fit under the hutch and now the other 3 ducks sit waiting while she goes under to fetch some and drags it out for them to eat we are trying to work out a way to get it out without moving the hutch b'cos the hutch is quite heavy and I'm not able to move it without dragging it violently and risk injuring my back or worse still breaking or warping it! - my daughter is unable to help as she is pregnant and it is way too heavy to lift whilst pregnant, even for both of us. Trying to work out a way to block all openings so she can't get to it anymore, not had any decent ideas yet, any suggestions?
I'm hoping paper towel isn't harmful to them as they have been eating it for a few days now ( my error I hadn't realised and just thought they're found bugs )
I know it is bio degradable so I don't think it will, certainly hasn't so far any rate but I don't know

How much paper towel was on the roll?
That’s very concerning because it could wad up in their intestines.
Have you seen if it’s coming out in their poop?
How far do you have to reach to get it?
Would a pair of kitchen tongs help?
Or barbecue tongs?

 

[llombardo]

I dropped a roll of kitchen paper towel behind the chicken hutch, I can't reach it for the life of me but my littlest duck has discovered that by flattening herself out and crawling she can fit under the hutch and now the other 3 ducks sit waiting while she goes under to fetch some and drags it out for them to eat we are trying to work out a way to get it out without moving the hutch b'cos the hutch is quite heavy and I'm not able to move it without dragging it violently and risk injuring my back or worse still breaking or warping it! - my daughter is unable to help as she is pregnant and it is way too heavy to lift whilst pregnant, even for both of us. Trying to work out a way to block all openings so she can't get to it anymore, not had any decent ideas yet, any suggestions?
I'm hoping paper towel isn't harmful to them as they have been eating it for a few days now ( my error I hadn't realised and just thought they're found bugs )
I know it is bio degradable so I don't think it will, certainly hasn't so far any rate but I don't know

Can you post a picture of it? It may give us a better idea. In the meantime, can you block that area until we can figure it out?

 

[llombardo]

I'm busy cleaning the chicken and duck indoor areas. What a pain--the poor ducks were hiding in the corner. The chickens don't even care if the vacuum is on.

Yesterday I dropped an egg and they ate it, I got the shell but they cleaned up the rest--mainly Rain the barred rock--hope I didn't start something with the eggs and them eating them.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

How much paper towel was on the roll?
That’s very concerning because it could wad up in their intestines.
Have you seen if it’s coming out in their poop?
How far do you have to reach to get it?
Would a pair of kitchen tongs help?
Or barbecue tongs?

It was almost finished so not a great amount. I've seen them poop and no sign of any paper towel. I found quite a few bits of it still whole but ripped but all of it was there so I'm hoping they havent eaten much. Its too far back to reach with tongs but ive thought of some brick edging i have in the front garden so im planning to get that first thing (its after 7pm here and very dark) im certain there should be enough to block them from getting to it until we can figure out how to get it. They are in bed now but all are fine so do you think i may of gotten away with it this time? I am hoping so

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Can you post a picture of it? It may give us a better idea. In the meantime, can you block that area until we can figure it out?

I will try get a pic tomorrow as it's after 7pm here and too dark to get a clear shot. I've thought of some brick edging i have in the front garden so im going to get that first thing to block it. At least that will keep them from getting to it any more. If I can't get it out ill have to leave the bricks there permanently or at least till I get a new coop.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I had three power surges last night. We had Gail force winds for about six hours, lost no tree limbs, & all the roof’s held up just fine. Thank goodness, I had to check the eggs incubating to make sure I had no losses during the surges. During candling I found two eggs with advanced veining. It’s a little early to tell for sure but I have at least two chicks growing big and strong. Fingers crossed there will be more. One egg has a small crack in it so tonight I’m going to drip some wax on it to seal it up.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I had three power surges last night. We had Gail force winds for about six hours, lost no tree limbs, & all the roof’s held up just fine. Thank goodness, I had to check the eggs incubating to make sure I had no losses during the surges. During candling I found two eggs with advanced veining. It’s a little early to tell for sure but I have at least two chicks growing big and strong. Fingers crossed there will be more. One egg has a small crack in it so tonight I’m going to drip some wax on it to seal it up.

Thank goodness your roofs held up and no damage!
As for chicks - so exciting! How long until you can know for sure of success?
Thank you so much for sharing, I really know nothing about incubation, growing, hatching chicks etc but I am enjoying reading posts such as yours and finding all so fascinating, especially about using wax to seal the crack - I'm like 'ohh wow!' lol

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Tuesday is the soonest I’ll be able to tell. I set them on the night of January 1st. So they should hatch on the 22nd of January if all goes according to plan.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Panic over guys! We found an old metal coat hanger which when unravelled and stretched out reached far enough for me to hook the roll and pull it out. From what I remember there isn't loads gone plus all ducks are in fine health and have normal poops so I think I got away with it, thank goodness!
B'cos of the way the others are with Roo I always worried if she got into troubles the others wouldn't help her but this morning some blackbirds landed in a bush she was next to which startled her and she gave out a warning call (or distress call which ever it was) all came running, even the ducks who were in the run eating at the time, they all banded around her while the warriors of the flocks saw the blackbirds off, brought tears to my eyes it was so lovely and such a relief to know they have her back too
@ChooksNQuilts I saw Roo eat some oyster shells for the first time could this mean she is getting ready to lay? And also is she at any risk eating it without having started to lay yet?