Illinois...

[MeepBeep]

That's why I had to locked them up, everyone keeps going in and adding eggs. I would try and go in and pull the eggs laid for that day, but apparently I have missed some because my husband cracked open a CCL egg this morning and it was a developing embryo. So I went out and locked up the broody coop, food and water went in and there is open space for them to poop.

A lot of people will take a Sharpie and mark the 'no collect' broody eggs to make them easier to identify...

 

[ChicagoClucker]

A lot of peple will take a Sharpie and mark the 'no collect' broody eggs to make them easier to identify...

I did it in pencil and its tough to see. Plus trying to get them to move so I can check is a struggle, especially the nest with 3 hens. So locking up that coop will probably be best for all of us. Meaning the broodies and my self. My other hens did not appreciate it at all. I had my Chocolate at my door yelling and then followed me complaining. I picked her up and took her to the big coop and placed her in a nest box 2 others laid eggs in. I come out of the garage a bit later, there she is laying an egg in the stones by the locked coop. She gave me a look, she looked so embarrassed. I felt bad for her. Apparently she doesn't like change. LOL

 

[chickendreams24]

I'm not upset either, just couldn't believe it. 3 sisters in the same nest. LOL. Most of the eggs are the Blue and Black mottled cochins with the Silver laced as the sire. So they aren't going to be pure, but sure will be cute. Then I have some pure SL cochins and Orpington eggs in there too. SO, they are sitting on a total of about 25 to 30 eggs. That's why I had to locked them up, everyone keeps going in and adding eggs. I would try and go in and pull the eggs laid for that day, but apparently I have missed some because my husband cracked open a CCL egg this morning and it was a developing embryo. So I went out and locked up the broody coop, food and water went in and there is open space for them to poop.

Lol what kinds and colors of Orpington eggs do you have in there? Also of you have pure ccl eggs I would take some of those. see there's a way around this no cochins this year thing I'm really looking for some blue English orps and would love some ccl the white sport I got from Junibutt is getting quite high up on my list of favorite birds she's so sweet and docile. Donated some hatching eggs to a local teacher today we will be getting the chicks back. I'm just so excited BC it's the only local school I've heard of that does it.I think it's a wonderful opportunity for learning and I think k more schools should do it.

We also rehomed some of our Easter hatch today. I love having great people take home my chicks and in some cases I get to refer them to BYC. Lol so we get rid of chicks today candle those in the incubator pull the rest that lost their lives to the stupid temp spike of 113 and a smaller one of 104(incubator has been purring like a kitten ever since) lost over half of our hatch though which sucks. So what's DH2B suggest we do with today's eggs? Well set them all of course. So we're back up over 4 dozen again lol including a huge double yolker we added BC he wants to see if it develops.... Wait a minute aren't I the one "obsessed" with chickens? Hmmm not sure I'm the only one any more. Besides the incubator was his idea last year. Moved all the eggs into cartons. I guess we'll give it a try.

In other news my first broody silkie of the year, Mary Anne, has started laying again. She's the one that was attacking chicks and so was removed from the chicks and placed back with the flock. I still feel bad about that but I'm glad all the chicks are safe.

Still trying to find my black oegb pullet's most recent hidden nest. Little thing is lucky I love her BC she's such a sneak. All of her eggs died in the temp spike in the bator.

Someday I know I'm going to find a hidden nest with a hundred eggs in it lol as my EEs all think they might to hide their eggs right now too. Would lock them up for a couple days but we have to go through their side of the cooler coop to access the side with the broodies and all the chicks.

 

[Faraday40]

Donated some hatching eggs to a local teacher today we will be getting the chicks back. I'm just so excited BC it's the only local school I've heard of that does it.I think it's a wonderful opportunity for learning and I think k more schools should do it.

We also rehomed some of our Easter hatch today. I love having great people take home my chicks and in some cases I get to refer them to BYC. Lol so we get rid of chicks today candle those in the incubator pull the rest that lost their lives to the stupid temp spike of 113 and a smaller one of 104(incubator has been purring like a kitten ever since) lost over half of our hatch though which sucks. So what's DH2B suggest we do with today's eggs? Well set them all of course. So we're back up over 4 dozen again lol including a huge double yolker we added BC he wants to see if it develops.... Wait a minute aren't I the one "obsessed" with chickens? Hmmm not sure I'm the only one any more. Besides the incubator was his idea last year. Moved all the eggs into cartons. I guess we'll give it a try.

I think our family has been the unofficial chicken ambassadors for the last few years. Whenever the kids go to a class & tell people of our chickens, I get a call asking if I'd help them hatch. I also work with the Park District, so several families come up & ask questions about coops & care. One preschool hatches next week, another preschool & the park district have eggs hatching the week after that, & tomorrow I set the eggs for my son's Cloverbud group. It's too many chicks for me to find homes for, so I ask that they keep the chicks. (Well, I sometimes may throw in a couple extra eggs for me if I have a friend who wants a particular breed.)

Isn't it fun when your other half starts enjoying chickens? My DH claims not to like them, but he actually named a few chicks in the brooder right now. It's hard not to fall in love with those fluffballs. Of course, it' feels great to sell them too.

 

[MeepBeep]

With the warm weather comes the inevitable varmint removal...

I have had a very large raccoon doing his/her nightly visits for the last few months between midnight and 3am, they were driving the dog nuts every night as it would walk just on the other side of the fence knowing the dog couldn't get at it, and if the dog was in the kennel it would even jump the fence and enter the fenced in areas of the yard... Been trying to get a clean shot of it for the last few months but due to it's always close proximity to the house and the fact it was always dark when it visited never was able to dispose of it... And even though I have a 'large' live trap it was still too small for this beast... I was just about to purchase one of the newer 'paw traps' they have for raccoons to remove it, but some passing car this weekend did the deed for me, so for now one less problem...

So this weekend I turned my focus on the skunks that took up residence in my pole barn last fall... I mostly ignored them during the winter because they were hibernating and thus not around, but with the warm weather they are not out and about, and opening the barn and coming face to face with a skunk is not high on the want to do list Plus they have been busy excavating the heck out of the place, they can move a lot of gravel and dirt overnight... That and they smell even when they are not actively spraying, so the pole barn has had a lingering skunk smell for months now... I had considered all winter about how I was going to trap and dispose of them, and although many online claim it's fairly easy trap and kill while not get sprayed the whole idea wasn't all that appealing, and I don't want to start shooting at them inside the pole barn unless necessary... So this weekend, I decide to try gassing them, picked up some gopher gassers, and tried to locate all their ins and outs, but after lighting the smokers, it was clear I missed the back door and they escaped, as evidenced by my dog going ballistic as they ran across the pasture... So I went back out yesterday and they had not reopened any of the other exits and were only using the one they escaped from, so I proceeded to gas them again yesterday... So far so good, unless they packed their bags and they didn't dig out last night, so it appears I might have disposed of them and buried them in one swift action...

I also have a Mallard duck pair that have decided my pool is a pond and have setup a nest in the brush next to the pool, hopefully she will hatch the eggs and move along and not try to claim the pool as her own...

 

[ChicagoClucker]

With the warm weather comes the inevitable varmint removal...

I have had a very large raccoon doing his/her nightly visits for the last few months between midnight and 3am, they were driving the dog nuts every night as it would walk just on the other side of the fence knowing the dog couldn't get at it, and if the dog was in the kennel it would even jump the fence and enter the fenced in areas of the yard... Been trying to get a clean shot of it for the last few months but due to it's always close proximity to the house and the fact it was always dark when it visited never was able to dispose of it... And even though I have a 'large' live trap it was still too small for this beast... I was just about to purchase one of the newer 'paw traps' they have for raccoons to remove it, but some passing car this weekend did the deed for me, so for now one less problem...

So this weekend I turned my focus on the skunks that took up residence in my pole barn last fall... I mostly ignored them during the winter because they were hibernating and thus not around, but with the warm weather they are not out and about, and opening the barn and coming face to face with a skunk is not high on the want to do list

Plus they have been busy excavating the heck out of the place, they can move a lot of gravel and dirt overnight... That and they smell even when they are not actively spraying, so the pole barn has had a lingering skunk smell for months now... I had considered all winter about how I was going to trap and dispose of them, and although many online claim it's fairly easy trap and kill while not get sprayed the whole idea wasn't all that appealing, and I don't want to start shooting at them inside the pole barn unless necessary... So this weekend, I decide to try gassing them, picked up some gopher gassers, and tried to locate all their ins and outs, but after lighting the smokers, it was clear I missed the back door and they escaped, as evidenced by my dog going ballistic as they ran across the pasture... So I went back out yesterday and they had not reopened any of the other exits and were only using the one they escaped from, so I proceeded to gas them again yesterday... So far so good, unless they packed their bags and they didn't dig out last night, so it appears I might have disposed of them and buried them in one swift action...

I also have a Mallard duck pair that have decided my pool is a pond and have setup a nest in the brush next to the pool, hopefully she will hatch the eggs and move along and not try to claim the pool as her own...

Boy you had a busy couple of days. There are ducks that land in my neighbors pool liner every year. They stick around for a couple of weeks, then head on their way. So hopefully yours won't stick around to long. As for your coon, at least that one was taken care of for you. We had a large raccoon take up residence in our porch ceiling. We had been working on our house and my husband just put up the ceiling on the porch, but didn't get the vents put on the eves. Well mama raccoon moved in and had 4 babies. We had called animal control but they won't come out unless they are in your house. SO, we borrowed a trap (which is illegal in Chicago) and caught a opossum but not the raccoon. Until 1 nite I saw it up on the roof, so ran in and got a can of tuna. Tempted her down with it and she went right into the trap. The next morning my husband made a tool to grab the babies, conduit with wire loop, I gathered up 3 Rubbermaid bins. He began tearing down his new cedar ceiling and we found 4 babies about the size of a adult female cat. He looped them and brought them down into the bins and I put the lids on. Once we had everyone, we let them all go together and we never saw them again. Now I hope I never have to experience skunks, cause I might not be as nice as I was to the raccoons.

 

[Faraday40]

Junibutt-
It was nice meeting you today. Your chicks made themselves at home quickly. They learned how to use the chicken nipples in about 60 sec. (A new record, I think.) The big male saw a chick drinking & gave it a try. The other two followed his example. They were more apprehensive about putting their head into the feeders, but within 10-20 min, they figured that out too. Right now, they're snuggled in a chick pile on top of the Mama Heating Pad.

DD came home from school & fell in love with the cuckoo instantly - a guarantee it's a cockerel. LOL Like I had predicted, DS & DH didn't notice the newbies until they were told.

 

[chickendreams24]

I think our family has been the unofficial chicken ambassadors for the last few years. Whenever the kids go to a class & tell people of our chickens, I get a call asking if I'd help them hatch. I also work with the Park District, so several families come up & ask questions about coops & care. One preschool hatches next week, another preschool & the park district have eggs hatching the week after that, & tomorrow I set the eggs for my son's Cloverbud group. It's too many chicks for me to find homes for, so I ask that they keep the chicks. (Well, I sometimes may throw in a couple extra eggs for me if I have a friend who wants a particular breed.) Isn't it fun when your other half starts enjoying chickens? My DH claims not to like them, but he actually named a few chicks in the brooder right now. It's hard not to fall in love with those fluffballs. Of course, it' feels great to sell them too.

Hmm that's very interesting I would have figured it was through your teaching background that did it. I would love to help out with a class and teach a mini chicken lesson but idk if I would be allowed since I don't have any teaching experience. I would love to hear more about your lessons with younger kids especially. The teacher we gave the eggs to is a kindergarten teacher and was really interested in some pointers and advice I told her about BYC and told her to check it out. She got to meet the flock when she got the eggs and was amazed that they are so smart and friendly and they have personalities. I love wowing people with my birds! Gosh I just love my girls and even my boys.

With the warm weather comes the inevitable varmint removal... I have had a very large raccoon doing his/her nightly visits for the last few months between midnight and 3am, they were driving the dog nuts every night as it would walk just on the other side of the fence knowing the dog couldn't get at it, and if the dog was in the kennel it would even jump the fence and enter the fenced in areas of the yard... Been trying to get a clean shot of it for the last few months but due to it's always close proximity to the house and the fact it was always dark when it visited never was able to dispose of it... And even though I have a 'large' live trap it was still too small for this beast... I was just about to purchase one of the newer 'paw traps' they have for raccoons to remove it, but some passing car this weekend did the deed for me, so for now one less problem... So this weekend I turned my focus on the skunks that took up residence in my pole barn last fall... I mostly ignored them during the winter because they were hibernating and thus not around, but with the warm weather they are not out and about, and opening the barn and coming face to face with a skunk is not high on the want to do list Plus they have been busy excavating the heck out of the place, they can move a lot of gravel and dirt overnight... That and they smell even when they are not actively spraying, so the pole barn has had a lingering skunk smell for months now... I had considered all winter about how I was going to trap and dispose of them, and although many online claim it's fairly easy trap and kill while not get sprayed the whole idea wasn't all that appealing, and I don't want to start shooting at them inside the pole barn unless necessary... So this weekend, I decide to try gassing them, picked up some gopher gassers, and tried to locate all their ins and outs, but after lighting the smokers, it was clear I missed the back door and they escaped, as evidenced by my dog going ballistic as they ran across the pasture... So I went back out yesterday and they had not reopened any of the other exits and were only using the one they escaped from, so I proceeded to gas them again yesterday... So far so good, unless they packed their bags and they didn't dig out last night, so it appears I might have disposed of them and buried them in one swift action... I also have a Mallard duck pair that have decided my pool is a pond and have setup a nest in the brush next to the pool, hopefully she will hatch the eggs and move along and not try to claim the pool as her own...

Okay so I used to work for a no kill animal shelter and we had a skunk problem too and would use live traps. I never did it personally but we used to always be ready to throw a sheet over trap, supposedly it works, in case a skunk was in it.

Junibutt- It was nice meeting you today. Your chicks made themselves at home quickly. They learned how to use the chicken nipples in about 60 sec. (A new record, I think.) The big male saw a chick drinking & gave it a try. The other two followed his example. They were more apprehensive about putting their head into the feeders, but within 10-20 min, they figured that out too. Right now, they're snuggled in a chick pile on top of the Mama Heating Pad. DD came home from school & fell in love with the cuckoo instantly - a guarantee it's a cockerel. LOL Like I had predicted, DS & DH didn't notice the newbies until they were told.

Awww how cute!!! What did you get? @Junibutt Sorry I haven't gotten more pics yet been quite the week should be able to get some tomorrow or this weekend hopefully. The little orps seem to be CL.interested down a bit and I've really been working with them on being handled. The little cuckoo cockerals have started pecking my boots to be picked up which is so cute and sweet. I do know however that you aren't really supposed to handle them more than necessary. That being said I really would love them to be friendly and nice to people if at all possible. That's my dream is to own a sweet gentle roo that actually likes people. After the first two flock masters we've had have been (one) evil incarnate and one escalating aggression, I can wait until I can find a roo or two that are good to us and the ladies. It's seriously my dream right now to be able to walk through my flock without watching my back. Have I mentioned I have that I hate having to do that? Anyone have any good suggestions on cooking a roo that will be a year old in May?

 

[MeepBeep]

SO, we borrowed a trap (which is illegal in Chicago) and caught a opossum but not the raccoon.

Without a hunting/trapping license as well as a fur bearing license and it being open hunting/trapping season you can't technically legally set a trap anywhere in Illinois, unless you apply for and get a nuisance animal removal permit prior to setting the trap or are part of some catch/neuter/release feral cat program... And then for skunks the law prohibits release anywhere but on the same property, and that won't solve a thing unless you have 1000s of remote acres...

Okay so I used to work for a no kill animal shelter and we had a skunk problem too and would use live traps. I never did it personally but we used to always be ready to throw a sheet over trap, supposedly it works, in case a skunk was in it.

That is what I read, as long as you approached from behind and covered the cage they almost never spray, but I was still not thrilled to test it out as then I have to still kill it and risk it spraying at that point, as it's against the law to do anything else once trapped except release it back on the same property lot or kill it...

 

[Junibutt]

Junibutt-
It was nice meeting you today. Your chicks made themselves at home quickly. They learned how to use the chicken nipples in about 60 sec. (A new record, I think.) The big male saw a chick drinking & gave it a try. The other two followed his example. They were more apprehensive about putting their head into the feeders, but within 10-20 min, they figured that out too. Right now, they're snuggled in a chick pile on top of the Mama Heating Pad.

DD came home from school & fell in love with the cuckoo instantly - a guarantee it's a cockerel. LOL Like I had predicted, DS & DH didn't notice the newbies until they were told.

It was nice meeting you as well. I thought your husband would have become suspicious already when I called in the morning

As for learning how to use nipples, I am officially reconsidering un-labeling them as a dumb breed. I have only raised 3 sets of orpington chicks and every time it has been very hard for me get them to start roosting. All the other breeds would roost, but they would not. It took lot of training for them to finally start roosting. They also didn't like coming out of the coop that much until I split them and added some Legbar friends with them.