Illinois...

[Molpet]

Hey, everybody! I've been away from BYC for a little while again. My 4 chicks turned into 1 chick. 3 days in a row a dead chick was found. The 1 survivor is a trooper though and growing well. I need to get some pics to post so I can get help with sexing. I'm really hoping for a female at this point. A male would have to go to freezer camp once big enough since we cannot keep them in our area. This certainly was not quite the fill-the-freezer hatch I originally thought it was going to be with several chickens and turkeys.

My quail are being little brats. They are holding out on laying eggs for some reason. They look healthy and we have culled the males as well as half the flock (can you say, "Winner! Winner! Quail dinner!") to ensure they are not feeling crowded.
Additionally, 1 of our quail (a female I'm pretty sure) escaped the hutch. A few days ago. She showed up in the backyard again yesterday, but got over the fence before i could catch her. She'll show up again I think. We are staying vigilant.

On another front (or rear ) we have had great success in composting chicken and quail manure. Take a look at this beautiful stuff. If it would dry up a bit I could sift it, or I might just use it as is on the garden. The clay soil would benefit from the fibrous materials anyway.
First pile (finished):
View attachment 1784323
Second pile (still cooking):
View attachment 1784324

any idea what they died from?
I hatched 2 of 4 eggs so far... the 2 never developed.,, those 2 and the one shipped egg that hatched are doing well under a broody.
I have 18 eggs in the incubator, figuring only half would hatch, based on your and my previous hatch.... all but 3 are developing. Although 2 of the developing ones are weird shaped eggs, .. very long and skinny, I wanted to see if they would hatch.
I have a couple of broodies that the ones that hatch will go to when they hatch in 10 days.
Do you want any more chicken eggs to try again?
compost looks good

I found a non gmo 28% turkey/gamebird feed down in manteno i am going to get tomorrow

 

[BReeder!]

any idea what they died from?
I hatched 2 of 4 eggs so far... the 2 never developed.,, those 2 and the one shipped egg that hatched are doing well under a broody.
I have 18 eggs in the incubator, figuring only half would hatch, based on your and my previous hatch.... all but 3 are developing. Although 2 of the developing ones are weird shaped eggs, .. very long and skinny, I wanted to see if they would hatch.
I have a couple of broodies that the ones that hatch will go to when they hatch in 10 days.
Do you want any more chicken eggs to try again?
compost looks good

I found a non gmo 28% turkey/gamebird feed down in manteno i am going to get tomorrow

Not sure why they died. They were doing well: eating, drinking, and growing fine. 1 of them looked like the navel didn't heal properly, which may have been a problem. But tge other 2 that died are a mystery. Heat was spot on and measured with a mercury thermometer to be sure. Plenty of ventilation in the brooder but no drafts. No signs of illness.

 

[Faraday40]

Hi everyone

It never seems to end around here.

Today my future MIL got a call she's been waiting on for several years now.

She got the call for a lung transplant.

So we are up in uw Madison now.

Everyone please keep us in your prayers and thoughts. This is of course an extremely risky surgery and so close to our wedding.

We're terrified and excited and then a little more(okay a lot) more terrified.

Prayers that all goes well. Please keep us updated.

 

[chickendreams24]

oh wow prayers

Prayers that all goes well. Please keep us updated.

Thank you guys.

@Faraday40 I'll keep you up to date on tomorrow. Playing everything by ear at this point.

She is getting the single lung transplant and they expect her to go in around 8 pm. They expect the surgery to last about 12 hours.

Everyone here is very scared but excited for her. Mostly scared.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

She is getting the single lung transplant and they expect her to go in around 8 pm. They expect the surgery to last about 12 hours

Prayers for a good outcome and prayers for peace for you.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Ok. I couldnt resist. This is my first official hatch and the suspense was killing me. I am literally the cat that swallowed the canary and i have feathers coming out of my mouth. I took a peek at my incubating eggs. I know you can take a peek at seramas at 5 days, which is tomorrow, but gosh golly im awfully impatient right now.

I have 5 seramas, 7 spitzies and 1 silkie egg set. I'm happy to say that 4/5 seramas, 7/7 spitzie ( way to go Jake), and 0/1 for the brain damaged silkie are developing! I'm so happy!

 

[chickendreams24]

Prayers for a good outcome and prayers for peace for you.

Thank you.

You all have no idea how much we appreciate your prayers, kindness and support.

They have again pushed back the surgery. As far as we know they were planning to take her in at midnight but still hadn't when we got home after midnight.

My DH2B has decided that I should continue with my previous plans to go bridesmaid dress shopping tomorrow with several of my bridesmaids as we won't have anything to do at the hospital but wait. Also because he took part of today off we will need the money. Hospitals aren't cheap I can't believe places make you pay for parking. Not being from Chicago unless you're at a huge stadium paying for parking seems nuts to me. I know parking is at a premium in big cities.


They're still thinking it will be a 12 hour surgery or maybe more plus recovery time.

Our plans are to go up tomorrow afternoon/evening unless we get an emergency call from the hospital or DH2B'S sister.

Our chicks are home and adorable! What little I saw of them as we checked on them.

More later friends I'll let you know more as I do.

This may cause us to have to postpone our wedding. We have to see what the next few days bring.

 

[chickendreams24]

And they've pushed the surgery back again. Planned OR time is now going to be noon.

For now.

This is going to give us a complex.

 

[Molpet]

And they've pushed the surgery back again. Planned OR time is now going to be noon.

For now.

This is going to give us a complex.

 

[chickendreams24]

@Faraday40

Phone line was busy. Tried to call. We're still on for today.