Minnesota!

[lalaland]

I don't need more chickens, so I went for a limited hatch - think there are 5 eggs under two hens each hatching today, and 3 eggs under a little hen. I have another hen, and am letting her set on 3 eggs as well. I figure roosters will get swapped out for the red ranger pullets otherwise destined to be meat, and we will see about the pullets that hatch.

I haven't found an effective way of selling eggs, and schlepping them to the cities to distribute to family is getting old. So I am trying to downsize the flock (yup, that's chicken math here

).

but, want to say there is nothing sweeter than the cheep of a newly hatched chick.

 

[lalaland]

Scandia, hope your dd is better today. And minniechickmama, hope your ds is also doing better. And to everyone else, hope all your family is happy and healthy.


On the "wish I was a better chicken keeper" note: Had a busy day ahead with hearings at the Senate, some deadlines....got up, hit the chicken chores. Took a broody for a break, standing guard so she could eat and dustbathe without interference. Got the flock fed and watered, and the other broodies watered. felt pretty good about getting stuff done so quickly (20 minutes).

Got home after work. When I went to collect eggs, there was......1. What? Turns out I had never opened the chicken door, so the flock was shut outside all day. Found emergency nests on top of the hay bales wedged under the coop to serve as windbreaks, and more than a few broken eggs as the eggs just rolled off. Not to mention various eggs scattered here and there in the run.

3 days later, some hens are still laying outside. And...it is all my fault!

 

[lalaland]

Good luck with the hatch! how many eggs are they setting on? my broody should start hatching Sunday

You know, we need pics, right? I only caught a glimpse of a chick yesterday but will practice what I preach hopefuuly.
Good luck on your hatch, can't wait to hear how it goes.

I forgot about chick feed, so forgot to switch to an all flock grower feed on the last feed run, all I have is layer mash and game bird crumbles, but I think the chicks will do ok on the gamebird as it is high protein. I can grab some all flock mash in a week or so.

Are you planning on chick feed?

 

[Cebarmlds]

You know, we need pics, right? I only caught a glimpse of a chick yesterday but will practice what I preach hopefuuly.
Good luck on your hatch, can't wait to hear how it goes.

I forgot about chick feed, so forgot to switch to an all flock grower feed on the last feed run, all I have is layer mash and game bird crumbles, but I think the chicks will do ok on the gamebird as it is high protein. I can grab some all flock mash in a week or so.

Are you planning on chick feed?

I picked up chick feed already. Last time with chicks I didn't have it on time so ground up some oatmeal in the blender and added cornmeal. Also gave them crumbled egg yolk.

Yes pics when you get to see them!

 

[lalaland]

so last night there were only two chicks under one hen that had hatched- one on friday and one overnight by sat am, none under the second. I am keeping my fingers crossed the second hen has at least one chick under her, if not I will have to find chicks for her.

Does anyone know if the chicks have to be under a certain age for the mama hen to hopefully accept them?

 

[Minniechickmama]

You better come right down and get some of these I just pulled from the hatcher yesterday! Hurry!

 

[lalaland]

I wish you were closer to me!! You know I would have had buckeyes by now!

So the second hen has hatched out at least one now, and Petunia is up to 3. I"m thinking these older girls are like yours, Minniechickmama, and telling that rooster to go to h**l.
But it works to have tiny hatches since I dont need any more chickens!

 

[lilmynx13]

Well we saw the big old predator the other night in a tree will be trapping that sucker. Till then I have to shore up a chicken coop. Just got done having crud eww but I think I'm over it.other than that @Minniechickmama if the price is right and they are pullets with pretty eggs in the genes I'm always open I love a colorful egg basket. Just gotta hope ryan doesn't kill me... he does love omelets and such though.

 

[lalaland]

yuck! opened the eggs that didn't hatch after the broody was up and off the nest ,,,,,,,why did I do that? I've read, "oh you should always do an eggtopsy" but why? so gross for one egg, and heart breaking for the other poor little chick that looked perfectly formed. but wet. I will never do that again.

 

[KlopKlop]

home from camping. WHat a great weekend. The park has a herd of bison and 3 of them had calves this week! how lovely!