MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

That is great work. I love the ramp. I'm sure Mary was non-plusssed by all the activity.

She didn't leave the nest again, so I assume she heard what was going on and laid low.

The day before she had a long break which included a dust bath, so I think she's doing OK even though she skipped another day's self-care. I'm sure she'll get up today.

 

[MaryJanet]

Just logging a time check.

Welsummer egg is at 12 days
Orpington eggs are at 11 days

 

[MaryJanet]

Another time check.

Mary's been broody since October 5.

Okaaaay

 

[MaryJanet]

In other news, Blossom and I have arrived for her first appointment of her radioiodine treatment. It's a examination with the internalist and it's at the small animal hospital, not her usual vet. She had to fast over night and she's being very good for someone who's famished.

She's keeping watch over a one-eyed ancient husky.

 

[MaryJanet]

Blossom is being a trooper!

 

[MaryJanet]

She's going to have her urine and T4 tested, but first a dose of chicken-flavoured gabapentin to keep her calm.

 

[Perris]

Just logging a time check.

Welsummer egg is at 12 days
Orpington eggs are at 11 days

Over half way...

 

[MaryJanet]

We're home from the vet and Blossom is still a little groggy, but she's had a very late breakfast. I think she will turn in for a long nap now her tummy's full again.

Back to hen-watch, Mary got up while we were gone and dropped a corker of a broody poop, so that's a relief. Also, there were scratching marks in the sand in front of the feeder, so I know she's eaten something. But there's no dust bathing hole.

That's three times she's skipped a day's self-care since receiving eggs.

When she was broody in the past, she always got up every single day.

As for me, it's 1.30pm and I haven't done a moment's proper work. I may well call it a sickie and just relax.

 

[MaryJanet]

Over half way...

Yes, with a weekend in the middle for any last minute adjustments to the hatchery environment.

I'm thinking another sweep with the magnet wouldn't go astray and the ply in the nesting compartment could be sanded. And I wouldn't mind bracing the new ramp to prevent sagging (easy to do in-situ because the ramp's hinged and has a hook at the bottom end for hoisting), then fashioning two triangle drop-sides (possibly on hinges) for the ramp so any chicks can't run underneath.

 

[ManueB]

If I'd known shade sails were so affordable, I'd have put them up years ago.

That is exactly what I thought when I bought the first one, and why I got another.
We had the same thought with construction tarps, by the way. We spent years using together old worn out pieces of various type of tarps which was a pain, when buying a huge new really convenient one was only 30 euros.
Sometimes being too careful about buying things isn't the right choice.
But on the other hand, so many times you buy stuff that never get used!

Yes, with a weekend in the middle for any last minute adjustments to the hatchery environment.

I'm thinking another sweep with the magnet wouldn't go astray and the ply in the nesting compartment could be sanded. And I wouldn't mind bracing the new ramp to prevent sagging (easy to do in-situ because the ramp's hinged and has a hook at the bottom end for hoisting), then fashioning two triangle drop-sides (possibly on hinges) for the ramp so any chicks can't run underneath.

You do take A type to another level ! Mary is lucky to have such a caring and careful keeper.

I guess I was lucky with my chicks that none got into harm in spite of not having done much thinking before about all the ways they could get hurt. Also, that phase doesn't last long - getting past two weeks, most of them begin to move and fly well enough to get themselves out of many problems.