Colorado

[PirateGirl]

PG, Congrats on the first egg!

I was so excited, but it was kinda broken, so sadly the dog got to eat the first one but maybe there will be breakfast waiting for me in the morning!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Those new layers get nutty scratching about making a nest. Some forget to SIT and the egg drops hard.

Until they get the hang of it you may want to put a nesting pad in the box. It is harder to scratch out then regular bedding.

I have the occasionally cracked one too but I have many layers so it isn't a huge deal to me.

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh, and the first hen to lay an egg is the one we feared was a rooster for ages

 

[Elyrian1]

Hurray for your first egg! I'm sure the dog did a happy dance with you.

 

[lomine]

Yeah for your first egg.

The new chicks arrived this morning. The meal maker wasn't included for some reason but they were all alive so I'm happy with that. When I left for work she was sitting and all the chicks were under her. She did peck at a few of them a bunch of times but there seemed to be a moment were it clicked in her head what she needed to do. She kind of pushed one of the peeping chicks under her. So now I'm here on my break, worrying about the chicks, and counting down the time till I get home. I hope they are okay. Here's a blurry picture with one of the Wyandottes.

 

[lomine]

I rushed home to check. Sadly one of the GLWs didn't make it. All the others were under mama when I checked and she had moved over so she wasn't sitting on the dead one so I'm wondering if it was because of the shipping. A SLW is looking a bit weak too. When I opened the door mama got up and started eating, then she left the cage completely. She was more interested in eating watermelon. I waited about 5 minutes but she had no reaction to their cries. I put her back in and she scratched around in the straw, hitting one of the chicks over in the processes. Then she left again and started to lay in the nesting box. I put her in one more time and she settled down allowing the chicks to get back under her. This is my first broody so I'm not sure if that's normal. I'll be checking on them throughout the evening.

 

[21hens-incharge]

When you got the chicks did you make sure they got some water and food in?

Some are to stressed by the shipping to make it.
If you have a weak one maybe take the chicks out from under mom to show them the food and water. Make sure they all eat and drink.

You have food and water close by mom right?

Keep a close watch to make sure she is showing them to eat and keeping them warm.

 

[lomine]

I did show all of them the food and water before putting them under mama. I also made sure they all ate and drank while she was off eating watermelon.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Then you are doing all you can.

I would keep watching to make sure she is keeping them warm.

 

[lomine]

Then you are doing all you can.

I would keep watching to make sure she is keeping them warm.

Will do. Thanks!