Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

I just went out to collect eggs and Millie is all flat and puffy and screeching on her ceramic eggs. What do I see but Britney Jane is in one of the other boxes and steps into Millie's nest, standing on top of her. Millie is growling but Britney Jane gives zero foxes. She starts trying to peck Millie's fake eggs and Millie gives her some solid what-for. I tried to coax Britney Jane into a different nest but she keeps going back for more. Maybe she'll work Millie up enough to stay on that nest now. Chickens!!!!

 

[Faraday40]

Again this morning I realize my broody trap may be too effective. I caught 4 hens in one box. (Other nest was completely empty.) I went inside to grab camera and the silkie had jumped out. At least I know which egg was hers! I doubt the black MGB will go broody...... but that blue hen...... She went broody for me last spring. She also spent last night roosting on the edge of the nest box - just staring at Popcorn. I think she was waiting for opportunity.. Popcorn has a decent amount of fight in her. Both are grumbly, so I expect the blue one will co-brood like she did last year.

Peer Pressure:

 

[SnootyHen]

Millie's still on the nest a few hours later hissing and spitting like the velociraptor she is!

 

[Faraday40]

Condolences to @homeschoolin momma who lost her only drake today. Time to quickly hatch some of his ladies' eggs.

She said the entire neck and chest were eaten. Rest of him was left. Any guesses to the possible daytime predator?

 

[Molpet]

Hawk?

Sorry for your loss. @homeschoolin momma I have someone who is going to give me 2 drakes because they have to many. I don't know what kind they are though. I was just going to put them in the freezer.. I don't even know if I like it so I would be happy to give her one

Condolences to @homeschoolin momma who lost her only drake today. Time to quickly hatch some of his ladies' eggs.

She said the entire neck and chest were eaten. Rest of him was left. Any guesses to the possible daytime predator?

 

[Justso]

Condolences to @homeschoolin momma who lost her only drake today. Time to quickly hatch some of his ladies' eggs.

She said the entire neck and chest were eaten. Rest of him was left. Any guesses to the possible daytime predator?

Coyote or fox are very hungry around this time..

 

[BReeder!]

Condolences to @homeschoolin momma who lost her only drake today. Time to quickly hatch some of his ladies' eggs.

She said the entire neck and chest were eaten. Rest of him was left. Any guesses to the possible daytime predator?

@homeschoolin momma if you need hatching eggs, I have plenty of duck eggs that should be fertile seeing all the activity. I want to hatch some myself, but not sure when I'll get around to it. I could always give you a drake if I do start hatching. You are welcome to the eggs though for free. They are Rouens.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Thank you for @Molpet and @BReeder! for the offer of new drakes. I have 6 eggs in the inky that are all developing nicely and due next Tuesday or so. I have 16 more now plus whatever I can collect between now and Monday when I can see @Faraday40 to put in her inkys. All I need is at least 1 male from these hatches. The problem is that I seen to have a hard time getting the eggs to hatch successfully. They make it to internal pip and then seem to perish. My drake was a welsh harlequin from Dave Holderread lines. If I don't get a male, then that line will be gone.

The coyotes and foxes generally do not try to go through my fences, especially during the day. Racoons have always been a problem at night. They are in my pastures constantly. As long as everyone is locked up, it's not a problem. It was already light this morning when the dogs and I let everyone out. The dogs were running around and rough housing and yapping at each other enough that I wouldn't think anything would have hung around. I am surprised he got caught because he was always so quick. I would have expected his sister/girlfriend to have been picked off as she has a damaged wing from a previous racoon attack. (We thought the space in the new enclosure we had made on the coop was small enough, but 1st night, one got in, and killed a girl and carried her off and injured her.

 

[Faraday40]

I see Spitz Pips!!!!


Fuzzy chicks with mohawks are on the way!

 

[Faraday40]

1st chick hatched!!!
A tiny dark serama