Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[notabitail]

I have a laugh when Martina comes for a visit, but I have a no chickens on the desk policy, I don’t want poops on everything

I have given up on preventing them from jumping on the desk. It is right by the door, and sooooo convenient. In Albis jumps on my chair if I get up and don't give her mealworms.
I did put Josey on the floor when she made a go for a computer someone asked me to fix. Last thing I want is to have to pay for parts to fix a laptop that isn't mine.

 

[Ponypoor]

I have given up on preventing them from jumping on the desk. It is right by the door, and sooooo convenient. In Albis jumps on my chair if I get up and don't give her mealworms.
I did put Josey on the floor when she made a go for a computer someone asked me to fix. Last thing I want is to have to pay for parts to fix a laptop that isn't mine.

Wise choice!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Okay, so last post before going back to the grind of grading Final Exams and Final Projects for my Stats class:


@RebeccaBoyd , but anyone can chime in:
I put eggs under my broody girl Thursday night, April 20th (late in the evening - after dark) So, that makes tonight the 22nd day. I have not candled the eggs. I did lift her up a bit this morning to glance at the eggs (but not disturb) I did not see any external pips. I thought I heard a little cheep, but the birds (wild ones) were very noisy this morning, so am not positive.

At what point do I say she is done? I know your two girls hatched chicks out at 19 days - so they probably run hot. Is it reasonable that if she runs cooler that they may hatch as late as the 23rd day? Should I let her be until Sunday morning - or evening? (I'm assuming it would have taken her a couple of hours to warm up the eggs when I put them under her....so, I guess, I could actually consider them a Friday morning 'set'?)

I'm a bit bummed, I was looking forward to some babies, and a new broody momma.

Sorry been busy today. First remember the first 24 hours do not count towards incubation. I do agree my hens tend to run hot if that is a thing, they always hatch on the early side. That being said I have some hatch late, as late as day 23 or 24 occasionally. When allowed, glares at Momma Hen the one constant I have in all my nest area's is a layer of sawdust underneath the nesting material. That sawdust holds heat and may contribute to the early hatches. What I would do now that I assume it is dark or close to it is go out with a head lamp and flashlight. It is time to candle those eggs. Assuming she is evil like Momma Hen, the safest thing to do is remove them all at once and bring them away from her. Your broody is going to remain in the nest since it is dark. Check those eggs, put them to your ear and tap them as well. If they are internally pipped you will either hear cheeping or scratching. If there is a chick inside while candling the entire egg will be completely dark except the air sack. If you have dark eggs, even if you do not hear anything I would give them back to her for a few more days.

 

[notabitail]

Wise choice!

She tried eating a screw. Good thing she dropped it. I have hit chickens hard to get them to drop trash they find in our yard, which includes screws, nails, and litter from the neighbors. I forgot there were screws. Scared me for a second. She got scooped up, plopped on the floor, and told no in a undignified way. She was not happy, what with her being Empress Josephine, Ruler of All Chickens.

 

[BY Bob]

All of us do/can, but we need sunlight to do so. Maybe @RoyalChick can give more detail? All I know is that Vit. D is important in either the absorption or usage of calcium in the body. Too little Vit. D is not good - for humans nor chickens.

Vitamin D requires sunlight to be activated in the body. Just taking a vitamin D supplement is not enough. Many children are becoming vitamin D deficient not because they don't get enough vitamin D or sun but because of all the sunscreen they wear.

Vitamin D tax

Lilly in the sun.

 

[Ponypoor]

A favourite of us all I am sure

 

[Ponypoor]

Vitamin D requires sunlight to be activated in the body. Just taking a vitamin D supplement is not enough. Many children are becoming vitamin D deficient not because they don't get enough vitamin D or sun but because of all the sunscreen they wear.

Vitamin D tax

Lilly in the sun.
View attachment 3503118

I seem to have heard that somewhere.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I am torn as to whether tovtrust you in boy identification or not. So many of your wanted pullets have turned into cockerels over time. I'm just not sure anymore.

Funny, very funny. I cannot help I declare at hatch certain ones had better be girls. Actually until proven otherwise all chicks hatched are girls. It is at 3 weeks on I start looking for signs that are going to break my heart. Early wattles, bigger red combs, and certain color hues to feathers or red feathers where they should not be on the Marans and Marans mixes. The first 6 chicks turn 3 weeks old Sunday. I shall start staring very hard at them for the next few weeks.

 

[Ponypoor]

She tried eating a screw. Good thing she dropped it. I have hit chickens hard to get them to drop trash they find in our yard, which includes screws, nails, and litter from the neighbors. I forgot there were screws. Scared me for a second. She got scooped up, plopped on the floor, and told no in a undignified way. She was not happy, what with her being Empress Josephine, Ruler of All Chickens.

Don let HRH Aurora hear that!

Yea they will pick up the darnedest things and try to eat.

 

[BY Bob]

My sister stopped by yesterday evening. She has to work on Mother's Day. When she arrived Rosie was down at the ring riding Russ with her best friend. She stopped and yelled for us both to come to the car. She handed Rosie a envelope and said Happy Birthday. Then she handed me one and said Happy Mother's Day, Birthday and Merry Christmas. Look inside....Pink concert tickets . Me, Rosie, mom and sis have a date in Louisville come November 11.

So much fun! What a great present. Please tell Rosie happy birthday from us.