found a missing hen

[flock-mama]

Well she is still out there sitting... I am worried my cat might find her. It's hard to guess how long she has been there. I think this week will be 21 days.

 

[flock-mama]

I smelled a skunk last night and was worried about hen on eggs not in the coop! I checked on her 1st thing this morning and she is still good!!! Hope I see signs of life soon of lil chicks!

 

[sred98]

Oh thank goodness she is ok! You'll have to post pics when she hatches her babies.

S

 

[flock-mama]

Oh I will!

My husband thinks I am a bit chicken crazy! Yes I agree!

I can't wait for babies!!!!

 

[flock-mama]

Well yesterday I covered her area with a tarp because we were expecting rain with 30% chance of snow! It did rain last night, didn't see snow. Just checked her and she is dry but it is quite chilli outside. I talked to my local feed store and they are getting baby chicks on June 16th. She said I could buy her extra chicks the hatchery sends with for warmth. So If my hens eggs don't hatch I will give her babies then! I hope that works!

 

[3peeps]

Good luck! How exciting! I would candle them, though. Besides being really fun, it can save you a big mess. It's pretty easy with a bright flashlight and a dark room, or in your case, a dark night. Just cup your hands around the egg and flashlight to make a tight seal, so the light doesn't come out of any spaces between your hand and the egg. Check the learning center on the homepage for pictures of what your eggs should look like, or google "chickscope 1.5" for an interesting site.

Here's the link:

http://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/explore/

 

[flock-mama]

ok tonight I will try and candle, but if I touch the eggs will she still sit? Or should I wear gloves?

 

[flock-mama]

It's 45 outside and its day, will it be too cold to candle an egg tonight? Living in Colorado you never know what temp/weather it will be!

 

[sred98]

Touching the eggs doesn't affect how the chicken will continue to set on them. It's one of those old wive's tales. I would sneak one or two, and have a sharpie handy and take them inside or just keep them warm and candle them real quick!

I would just make a mark or number them if they are developing and toss the ones that haven't developed. If none of them have, get the babies from the store and toss them before they break! Just don't toss them til you have babies to replace them with.

Thanks for the update! Glad she is going to have babies one way or another!

S

 

[flock-mama]

Ok thank you!!!! I will try that.