Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

Had my first predator losses since I was a kid. 5 poults missing
5 turkeys with 6poults refuse to go in the coop and have been sleeping out in the tall weeds. This morning they only have one poult. A nest a different one has started the egg was eaten. All the nest dog houses in the yard have been ransacked. The box trap was tripped.
Dog proof traps on order.
I think they are coming in by the tree highway.

I have 7 other poults in 2 coops.

I'm so sorry! I hope you can trap it and save the rest of them!

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

@cavemanrich I have a memorable story about raccoons. I was somewhere around 13. Awakened in the middle of the night by my dad running around the kitchen (directly above my bedroom) shooting at a raccoon. A pregnant raccoon actually tore the metal sophet vent to get into the attic where she had babies.

@Molpet I am so sorry to hear.

 

[BReeder!]

My 4H Cloverbud group is coming over today. We're going to talk chicken and candle some eggs. (The Cloverbud eggs will hatch June 19th.) I normally would have the kids, parents & siblings here for the class, but decided to only have each kid & 1 parent. That way we're under 10 and staying outside.

I also have pips in the other incubator. (DS's 2nd trial) Perhaps we'll get lucky & I can show them a hatching chick tonight.

@BReeder! Your duck eggs are developing and great for candling. Only one was clear. Hatch date should be the 26th if they take the full 28 days. I know the kids will get a kick out of seeing the ducklings.

I'm eagerly waiting! I just messaged you actually, and note I'm catching up on posts and seen this. That's so exciting!

 

[BReeder!]

Cloverbud class went well. Aren't they adorable in their little masks!! (Life during Covid19)
View attachment 2177536

I brought the incubator outside and 3 chicks just happened to hatch during the hour the kids were here. I couldn't ask for better timing.

The NR360 incubator works well for the seramas but is so short for my orps.
Only the serama can stand up. The poor lav orp hits its head just by sitting.
View attachment 2177494

On a sad note, Darling left the nest today. It looks like her only egg hatched. I found a dead lav orp in the run. It was still wet from hatching. Not sure if Darling did it or if the chick was discovered by another hen when Darling was off the nest. And why would she leave just as the chick hatched???

Not sure if I should move another chick under her. (She's back in the nest now.) This hatch was supposed to be hers.

Can you get a riser for the incubator? In thinking a plastic ring that's 2 inches or so tall to raise the top.

 

[BReeder!]

Very happy chickens this morning.

Cicadas! Everywhere more cicadas!

I found many cicada exoskeletons on one of the maple trees out front.

 

[BReeder!]

@BReeder!
Here are my 1st 3 quail of the year. Let me know if you agree on genders.

female
View attachment 2179112

male
View attachment 2179113

Male
View attachment 2179114

I tried putting them in with the older ones.... but the male got too excited. No one knew how to react. These 3 littles were terrified and stood still in shock. The older females ran around in circles and then hid away in the nest box..... only to come out a few seconds later, see the intruders, and run circles all over again. The old male put his head down and tried to court them.... then he tried to mate the poor confused newbies.

I put the littles into their own cage for the night. We'll try introductions another time.

Yes. Female, male, male

 

[cavemanrich]

Cicadas! Everywhere more cicadas!

Cicadas? I haven't seen any yet

None by me at all yet

 

[cavemanrich]

Had my first predator losses since I was a kid. 5 poults missing
5 turkeys with 6poults refuse to go in the coop and have been sleeping out in the tall weeds. This morning they only have one poult. A nest a different one has started the egg was eaten. All the nest dog houses in the yard have been ransacked. The box trap was tripped.
Dog proof traps on order.
I think they are coming in by the tree highway.

I have 7 other poults in 2 coops.

any idea what predator was maybe one with 2 legs

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

any idea what predator was maybe one with 2 legs

Y'know chickens have 2 legs too

 

[cavemanrich]

Y'know chickens have 2 legs too

You got me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,