Hatching with 2 broodies

[Pooman]

Hi Girls,

Well the world continues to conspire against me... Seems a Rat was responsible for the 2 vanished eggs the other day, 2 more got taken from under our noses... So the incubator has been filled from under Dotty's nest, the eggs were a little dirty from spilt yolk which is a little concerning. 9 in incubator and 3 plus golf balls under Dotty (she still needs to be expecting a lot of chicks lol)

Lola is looking weaker than ever, I haven't seen her eat for days now, I have started her on some antibiotics, administered via syringe to mouth as she hasn't been eating and we only want to treat her. She drinks it and enjoys a scratch. But doesn't eat and not many poos. The poo looks ok, no blood, firm. Her body and crop feel normal (empty crop obviously) no hard bits or swellings etc... I'm thinking that she might have hormones all over the place, just come of a moult, didn't sit, but had chicks thrust upon her, so maybe she has been forced into a broody like eating/metabolism state. I need to break her out of it though, she has to eat the poor thing. Since I have owned her though she has looked of poorer health and activity than the others, but she is a sweet one.

Now a note on candling for everyone, from my limited experience.

Its best to candle about day 4-5, at this stage if you have a winner it will be obvious. Youll see a network of veins and a dark spot. If you just see a yolk floating around.. Floating is the key, chuck it. If you see a dark dot and a ring of red, like a big circular vein, chuck it. You need to see the eye (dark spot) and a network, thats a network throught the body to be and wings.
Then candle at about day 12-14, by this stage it will be quite dark, but hold still and you will see movement. So far, any that have made it to here have hatched.
Now your gonna need a very bright light, Very. I have put a cardboard roll for toilet paper over the end of mine as a holder for the egg, then cup your hand to eliminate the cracks of light. Do it in the dark and behold the wonder of the egg.... Lol

Mavis hatching on Thursday with 4 home grown eggs
Dotty down to 3 real plus golf balls, 3 moved to incubator, making 9 in incubator, 12 chances due to hatch Thursday week

Good luck everyone and their chickies

 

[Teila]

I have 7 little eggs and Molly is doing all the work and I'm still a mess!!!

I'm so stressed!!!!!

Hey there TGG

Tee hee. I'm sorry for the chuckle; been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Sounds like you and Molly are on track and stress levels aside, doing nicely. Really looking forward to the wonderful news of more Team Broody bubbies and excited for you!
I feel for you in that you have the weather to contend with also; it must be difficult for those who have low temps to deal with also.

down to 4 store-bought ones left, and I don't want to buy more!

Daisy may have convinced me s/he's Desi today.
Now, if only she wasn't so scared of me!

Aaargh liz! The law of averages says if you wait it out and don't buy eggs, they won't lay and if you cave and buy eggs, they will!
Desi sound like s/he is having a good time; s/he does sound like a Desi!

Since 3 of the bubbies left, Suzi and Tina are also a little scared of me and where they all used to come running to me on mass, with only two now they seem a bit more cautious. It doesn't help that Cilla has now decided the pecking order needs to be established and is getting a bit bossy with them and they are having to find places to 'hide' from her! Right now I think they would rather spend time with their Cranky Aunty Dusty than with their mumma!
It looks like it is going to be a nice day today, so soon I am going to let them out in their temporary pen for a free range and some quality getting to know you time with me ... photo opportunity maybe!

Hi Girls,

Well the world continues to conspire against me... Seems a Rat was responsible for the 2 vanished eggs the other day, 2 more got taken from under our noses...

Lola is looking weaker than ever

Good luck everyone and their chickies

Gees Pooman! Hopefully the events to date will just be a lead up to a wonderful hatch rate and lots of beautiful, healthy bubbies! I have fingers crossed for you that this is the case.

I am sorry to hear that Lola is not doing well; thoughts with her and you and again, hoping that she turns the corner and makes a full recovery.

Are Rats an issue with chicks? Have they been known to take them?

 

[lizgarf]

Well, I think I'm finally pretty-well convinced that Daisy is Desi. He started getting the copper bits today on his neck and was acting very dominant, all around. He's going to be gorgeous, once his colors all come in, so I'm going to try keeping him for as long as I can get away with it, while keeping my eyes/ears open for a good home. Both of them are getting lovely "beetle" sheen, but it's hard to show in the photos.

It was really hard to capture the copper bits on film, but here are a few attempts to at least show off the roosterness:


Compared with Ida:


Frida (still molting, poor thing) and her big babies:


In other news, Grace is squatting up a storm, but no eggs yet. The "cold snap" here has been serious by Oakland standards. I've gotten some frost damage in the most vulnerable areas in my yard, and I brought a pineapple guava plant in to the basement, to protect from the frost, which got eaten by a rat! I give up! 3 more cold nights ahead, and I'll cover what I can and hope for the best. Those of you in truly cold parts of the world can snicker, but I wasn't prepared for this!

 

[Pooman]

Sad news. Lola passed last night.

RIP Lola.

I'm not as sad as the other one, as I was kinda expecting it. She was a good creature though taking on the chicks in the last days, I'll miss her. We had a funeral for her this afternoon. Didn't expect so many tears when I started this chicken caper....

Other news, no more eggs taken by rat, rat trap installed, bucket mouse trap under construction

Have sourced a heat pad warmer usually used for brewing so I'll put that in the nest tonight to keep the double orphans warm. They are 4 weeks tomorrow, starting to feather so i think they will just be lonely.

Introduced Rocky to the chooks, Snowy and Trixy. I expected chaos and feathers, instead I got dancing and prancing. He is a good boy now haha.

And happy birthday to my missus I have showed her this thread but she isn't interested haha.

Hey Liz, I was reading on here somewhere about a scarf you can put around Roos necks to stop the crow, you might be able to do that, people were using hair scrunchies... Might be an option.

 

[lizgarf]

Sad news. Lola passed last night.

Introduced Rocky to the chooks, Snowy and Trixy. I expected chaos and feathers, instead I got dancing and prancing. He is a good boy now haha.

And happy birthday to my missus I have showed her this thread but she isn't interested haha.

Hey Liz, I was reading on here somewhere about a scarf you can put around Roos necks to stop the crow, you might be able to do that, people were using hair scrunchies... Might be an option.

Oh my, that is such sad news. What is it with these sick chickens in Australia? I have only had predators on my radar - I haven't had to deal with any illness yet. I wonder how long that can last? Those two little chicks of yours are going to be tough as nails after all of this.

Such a sweet image of the prancing dog. Mine loves watching the chicks! She had such a huge smile watching them when they were little. She doesn't pounce when they get close to her, but I haven't let her completely loose with them. I see how she is with the hens - she can't resist making them fly.

I love the scrunchy idea!! What a great way to use the old things (until they come back in style next year, that is)! I would have laughed out loud if it weren't for the somber tone of the rest of your email. It's a somber day for me too, actually. I got confirmation that one of my favorite former teammates and one of the most inspiring people I know, has only a few more months to live due to her raging cancer. Forty years old, mother of two, and all-around amazing woman. I'm crushed that we're losing her. I have to remind myself of my favorite line in Harold and Maude when Harold tells Maude that she can't die because he loves her, and Maude says: Oh Harold, that's wonderful. Now go out and love some more.

 

[tommysgirl]

Oh my, that is such sad news. What is it with these sick chickens in Australia? I have only had predators on my radar - I haven't had to deal with any illness yet. I wonder how long that can last? Those two little chicks of yours are going to be tough as nails after all of this.

Such a sweet image of the prancing dog. Mine loves watching the chicks! She had such a huge smile watching them when they were little. She doesn't pounce when they get close to her, but I haven't let her completely loose with them. I see how she is with the hens - she can't resist making them fly.

I love the scrunchy idea!! What a great way to use the old things (until they come back in style next year, that is)! I would have laughed out loud if it weren't for the somber tone of the rest of your email. It's a somber day for me too, actually. I got confirmation that one of my favorite former teammates and one of the most inspiring people I know, has only a few more months to live due to her raging cancer. Forty years old, mother of two, and all-around amazing woman. I'm crushed that we're losing her. I have to remind myself of my favorite line in Harold and Maude when Harold tells Maude that she can't die because he loves her, and Maude says: Oh Harold, that's wonderful. Now go out and love some more.

So sorry Pooman, good idea with the heating pad.

Liz I am so sorry for your impending loss. Young moms...I don't know but their loss hits me hard. On what team did the two of you compete? Teammates become like sisters...or brothers I guess and I am so sorry for your sadness. I was too young when I saw Harold and Maude and I didn't see it's beauty...just thought it was "icky" I should netflix it now that I am a middle aged woman with perspective.

 

[lizgarf]

Liz I am so sorry for your impending loss. Young moms...I don't know but their loss hits me hard. On what team did the two of you compete? Teammates become like sisters...or brothers I guess and I am so sorry for your sadness. I was too young when I saw Harold and Maude and I didn't see it's beauty...just thought it was "icky" I should netflix it now that I am a middle aged woman with perspective.

Thanks, TGG. We played together on a team that represented the US in the mixed masters division of the World Championships of Beach Ultimate Frisbee in 2011. I know, very random. But, she was my favorite teammate and we've kept in touch since then, she helped me through some hard times, and it's just so very sad. Sarah's kids are teenagers, and I lost my mom when I was in my twenties, and Sarah reminds me of my mom in some ways, so this hurts on lots of levels.

Harold and Maude is worth another watch - it's not for everyone, but it's one of my all-time favorites. The soundtrack adds a lot!

Now, let's get back to admiring each other's chickens! And rooster scrunchies!

 

[tommysgirl]

Now, let's get back to admiring each other's chickens! And rooster scrunchies!

Beach Ultimate sounds amazing!

I know of someone in the south bay who has a line on "rooster collars" that are supposed to help quell crowing. Her BYC username is chiqita and I am sure she will help if you want to give it a go.

 

[lizgarf]

Beach Ultimate sounds amazing!

I know of someone in the south bay who has a line on "rooster collars" that are supposed to help quell crowing. Her BYC username is chiqita and I am sure she will help if you want to give it a go.

It is amazing, thanks! I had to retire from most ultimate due to having used up most of the cartilage in my knee, but I still can play on the beach when the opportunity arises.

Love the new profile pic, TG! Is that a wellsummer? They are such beautiful birds! The lady I got my chickens from gave me one at first, but she was not happy - superduper loud and pecked the pullets, so I exchanged her for Stella. How is yours?

Thanks for the rooster collar tip!

 

[Teila]

Well, I think I'm finally pretty-well convinced that Daisy is Desi.

I brought a pineapple guava plant in to the basement, to protect from the frost, which got eaten by a rat! Those of you in truly cold parts of the world can snicker, but I wasn't prepared for this!

Yeah Liz, he definitely does look rooster-ish compared to Ida .. they are gorgeous and love seeing the pictures. I especially like the solo one of Ida, very cute!
People in the warm part of the world are snickering also (chuckle). Poor little pineapple guava!

Sad news. Lola passed last night.

And happy birthday to my missus I have showed her this thread but she isn't interested haha.

Aaaw Pooman, I am also so very sorry to hear your sad news; today has just been awful for sadness; you are the fourth person today I know who has lost one of their feathered babies

Happy birthday to Mrs Pooman from all the clan at my place

I got confirmation that one of my favorite former teammates and one of the most inspiring people I know, has only a few more months to live due to her raging cancer.

Wow .. this day is surely got to be one to forget! The bad news just keeps coming

My thoughts will be with your friend, her family and you Liz, how awful!!

On a lighter note, definitely want pictures of Desi in a scrunchy!

Tina on the left; Suzie on the right