INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[BantyChooks]

You're not exactly new...

Mirajane aint new, either.

She's been here since December, see?
Quote:

• Mirajane
• 
• 

• Location: California
• Joined: 12/2015
• Posts: 297
• offline

Hello Everyone! Sally Sunshine invited me here on the new member page. I have eggs in my incubator due today/tomorrow. I'm sitting here listening to peeping. No external pips yet, just internal. My mom is gonna make me sell all of the babies, but said I can keep 3 if I really want. We have 17 chickens right now and she doesn't want more, but I do.

 

[kwhites634]

Mirajane aint new, either.

She's been here since December, see?

Okay, I'll concede this round

 

[NaJoBeLe]

Unfortunately I did not bury or have a apron. I should have known and do have a apron on both the big coop (after a dig in) and on the goat pen that used to be a pig pen (after a dig out) couldn't keep that pig in for nothing. It has hopefully been fixed at this point and pictures will be attached.
The brooder is roughly 3'X7'. The dig under was the whole 3' on one side and about half the other side on the corner. There was a portion of the brooder with a skirt under it from the apron of the big coop. That part wasn't touched.

K. I think I answered all the questions. If somebody sees I missed one let me know.

Now for the plan forward. I put a row of 2X4 fence down with about 2 ft or so overlap on both ends. Should be good on the side even though there is only 6 or so inch overlap. The brooder is sitting in between the run of the main coop and the goat pen.

Also added large rocks all around the base. Takes away the mobility without some work but if it keeps the chicks safe it'll be worth it. Not sure if the rocks are going to stay long term because I worry about them harboring snakes. We will see.

Haven't messed with the incubator yet but it hasn't warmed back up so it needs some tinkering.

Images will be added shortly. Have to do that from the laptop not mobile.

also forgot to mention.

All chicks were accounted for inside brooder. 3 were killed, 4 of them have a missing toe(Im guessing whatever it was managed to get underneath enough to get at their toes). They have a roost bar but not sure if they were scared off of it or what. Also have one that has quite a few missing breast feathers with a small amount of blood. All of the chicks that made it through the attack seem to be acting normal. Eating and drinking water, eager and excited to see me and such.

As far as the injuries are concerned what would be the best course of action forward. They dont seem to be bothered but plan to watch them closely and see what happens.

also set up a trail cam to try and confirm what it was and put a box trap out. not sure it will catch anything but decided to go ahead and set the trap since i had it available.

Also known predators I have seen in the yard. fox, racoon, opossum.
known predators surrounding the yard coyotee.

 

[BullChick]

Chicks were drinking when I checked on them (no, not alcohol!). Still haven't seen them near the lamp.

 

[BantyChooks]

OK Sally, I shuffled the article again. Don't panic, you are still there!

-Banti

 

[country lovin]

I haven't seen any signs of movement from the eggs on day 21

 

[kwhites634]

also forgot to mention.

All chicks were accounted for inside brooder. 3 were killed, 4 of them have a missing toe(Im guessing whatever it was managed to get underneath enough to get at their toes). They have a roost bar but not sure if they were scared off of it or what. Also have one that has quite a few missing breast feathers with a small amount of blood. All of the chicks that made it through the attack seem to be acting normal. Eating and drinking water, eager and excited to see me and such.

As far as the injuries are concerned what would be the best course of action forward. They dont seem to be bothered but plan to watch them closely and see what happens.

also set up a trail cam to try and confirm what it was and put a box trap out. not sure it will catch anything but decided to go ahead and set the trap since i had it available.

Also known predators I have seen in the yard. fox, racoon, opossum.
known predators surrounding the yard coyotee.

I was going to suggest the trail cam & trap; props on that one. Judging from the size of the dig, my guess is coyote; looks like something a dog would dig. Fox, I guess, is also a possibility, but I've never seen any excavation I could positively attribute to one. The dig-ins appear a lot larger than required for coon or possum. It could also be a stray dog that has acquired a taste for blood and kills for the joy of killing rather than hunger. The one guy I know on here with lots of coyote experience is Fire370. If your predator is, in fact, a coyote, he sure ought to be able to i.d. the hole one makes. Keep checking that trail cam, maybe set another one from a 2nd angle, to cover as much area as possible. You might also soak the loose dirt in the dig so you could, hopefully, get some prints. Good Luck, hope you nail the sucker! @fire370

 

[lindalouly]

The thunder storms are rolling in... Tonight is gonna be fun with oly girl.

 

[kwhites634]

The thunder storms are rolling in... Tonight is gonna be fun with oly girl.

Lucky you!

Feeling some better?

 

[lindalouly]

Lucky you!

Feeling some better?

It's been a tough one today but feeling better. I've enjoyed reading you and MC banter back and fourth. Heeeheee