Maine

[buckabucka]

I'm wondering what is going on with my hen. She is standing up in the nest box, panting. I figured an egg was imminent, so I left and had dinner. I just checked again, an hour later, and she is still standing in the nest box, panting, but this time she had a shell-less egg next to her.

She is not coming out of the box, not sitting down, but standing there, panting. The egg had a membrane on it. Is it possible the shell is broken inside her? Anyone have a similar experience and know what to do?

I'm going for a short walk and will check on her when I return. I appreciate any advice!

 

[buckabucka]

Okay, I'm not so worried anymore. She came out of the box and is on the roost. Hopefully, she is fine.

 

[hoppy]

that's good, I'd say she was hot.

Okay, I'm not so worried anymore. She came out of the box and is on the roost. Hopefully, she is fine.

 

[dowgirl71]

if you can post a clearer picture of its' head, might be able to tell.

OK, I'll try to get a better picture. The comb is not really any redder or more prominent than the others, but it's legs are much bigger and it just seems to stand more erect.

 

[hoppy]

if you think its legs are thicker then the others, very good chance it's a roo.

OK, I'll try to get a better picture. The comb is not really any redder or more prominent than the others, but it's legs are much bigger and it just seems to stand more erect.

 

[dowgirl71]

if you think its legs are thicker then the others, very good chance it's a roo.

Yes, I have a SLW in with it and it's legs are twice the size of hers. I even think the SLW is about a week older.

 

[CoopChick719]

Ah the best intentions of kids. I have an 8 year old son who always does things with the best of intentions that end up disastrous. I go to bed with headaches purely from the many times I've rolled my eyes in the course of a day.

My headaches are from banging my head against the wall!

 

[ducklucky]

Ah, kids, they mean well, we all have to learn the hard way sometimes. Just remember when, but of course WE never did dumb things like they do these days LOL!!! Sorry about everyone's losses due to accidents or predators. Seems to be a bad problem this year, but they are all raising young ones and an easy meal is just, well, easier. Can't really blame them, as heartbreaking as it is to us.

Ash, don't blame you one little bit. Would do the same. No one wants to go through that again. Know a lot of you do not like hatcheries, but have always had healthy birds, never a problem. McMurray has been my choice for over 10 years, and have gotten some beautiful birds from them. Totally understand that you want to get your birds locally from reputable breeders, you just never know. Our neighbor breeds pure chicks and purebred goats, and he is always very particular about who comes to visit his goats and chickens, and will ask them to wear booties if he doesn't know them and they are coming from another farm. He free ranges and loses chickens all the time, but his attitude is everyone's got to eat. Don't know how many he has, well over a hundred, Just when he thinks he has lost one, she will come trotting out of the woods with a brood of chicks. Wish I could be more like that, but I still cry every time I lose one.

My little duckie, Sweet Pea, remains a non-duck. The others want nothing to do with her. She hangs out mostly with the 2 golden retrievers, they have accepted her as one of their own. She prefers to lay by the front door with them and look longingly into the house, crying every time she sees me. Still put her in the house box at night. She is so funny, still follows me everywhere and altho I put her out every day with the others, they come after her with heads down and chase her away. Think she would like to hang with them and will continue trying. Two are her parents after all!!! Daffy ducks.

Sold 9 of my 2 month old Buff ducklings to a new guy in town, he is young and starting his own little farm, so they are his first residents, but he says he has had ducks before. Unfortunately some will be on the table. Kept a male and female, they are named Frick and Frack, and with the others gone, they are trying to integrate with the Pekins, they follow them everywhere, and the drake Lucky, Sweet Pea's dad, takes them on great adventures. Hub is always getting on the ATV to round them up, sometimes Lucky just takes it too far. Hopefully Frick and Frack will produce some fertile eggs, would like to see this breed continue, they are quite beautiful birds,and very comical being part runners. When the whole flock was here, they would segregate themselves, like they were a different race or something, but now they are just part of the gang. They even tried to go into the Pekin pen last night, but the Pekins were picking on them, so had to go in and move them to their own town next door. Hopefully they will all get along eventually, but Lucky is a randy guy, hope he won't try anything with Frick, she is too young yet. Do think the girl Pekins are jealous of her, she is quite attractive, and Frack is simply competition for Lucky.

Have 4 Pekin eggs in the bator, one pipped yesterday, I way miscounted days, but they all looked the same when I put them in. She is working hard to enter the world and is cheeping, only been about 12 hours since I noticed. Guess the other 3 will pip soon too, so hard to leave them alone and let nature take its course! The guy that bought my Buffs said he would buy all I can hatch, so guess I'll do 2 more batches. No shortage of fertile eggs with Lucky around, he is quite the stud! Maybe Sweet Pea will take to the hatchlings and be their mother, she is super affectionate. Has anyone experienced this? She is almost feathered out, about 2 1/2 months old, guess that motherly instinct may not kick in til she starts laying.

Sorry about your pup Widget, how are things? So tough, like losing a child. Dread that day, but with golden Teddi at 8 1/2, know it will come sooner rather than later. Her sister Keeley at 6 would be lost without her. Hope your pup is or was more comfortable with the steroids, know they helped our kitty last a bit longer and he seemed pretty pain free for a while. Horrible cancer, why in the world do innocent dogs and cats get it, they never smoked or drank or did bad things like we do! It's just not fair, they should all live very long lives and just fade away in very old age.

Be patient with your kids everyone, they learn by experience and have surely broken their own little hearts through their mistakes. One time is enough when they lose an animal thru their own errors, they will never do that again! Take care all, will let you know if Sweet Pea ever becomes a real duck! Will maybe make a good children's book, hmmm....

 

[echosrevenge]

So if anyone is looking for work, or knows anyone looking for work....Borealis Breads in Waldoboro desperately needs some new employees, they are way understaffed right now. Delivery drivers, retail cafe workers, and production bakers. No experience necessary. The shop is under new management and going awesome, they just need six or seven more people in various positions. NOT a seasonal job - you'll still be employed come fall. Pass the word!

 

[CoopChick719]

Went to Blue Seal this morning. They had a shipment of turkeys and guinea hens, as well as a bunch of other breeds yet to be unpacked. What is it about seeing chicks that gets the mind going... AWW! They're so cute and fluffy.... I'd just love to bring a few home.... Reality check please!!!

How about not even seeing the, but just hearing them?? I called RT farms in Winthrop this AM with a few questions, and I could hear the chicks peeping! It made me want some!

My DH always says to me, "Have you ever seen a chick who isn't cute & fluffy?!"

He's a softie when it comes to animals too.

Ah, kids, they mean well, we all have to learn the hard way sometimes. Just remember when, but of course WE never did dumb things like they do these days LOL!!!

I have always tried to help my kids learn from their mistakes but mine is 21 and going to school for carpentry!!! Helloooo...I know he knows how to use a level!!

My little duckie, Sweet Pea, remains a non-duck. The others want nothing to do with her. She hangs out mostly with the 2 golden retrievers, they have accepted her as one of their own. She prefers to lay by the front door with them and look longingly into the house, crying every time she sees me. Still put her in the house box at night. She is so funny, still follows me everywhere and altho I put her out every day with the others, they come after her with heads down and chase her away. Think she would like to hang with them and will continue trying. Two are her parents after all!!! Daffy ducks.

I'm glad Sweet Pea found some friends! It kills me that she cries every time she sees you! The poor little thing.