I guess I just need to vent. This summer has been hard. 2 months ago, my first broody out of 10 hens hatched ONE chick. One week later, the cat killed it.
Since then, 5 more hens went broody, but then one of them and one of our 2 roos (my favorite) dropped dead. 3 of our non-broodies were wounded in a dog attack and one died. If there is not a miracle chick (which would be 2 days late) when I get home today, I will have to break my 2nd failed broody before she keels over. Only one of her eggs survived intact this far and it hasn't hatched as far as I know. The other 3 broodies are dumb and keep nest swapping, but the last time I moved one out of the coop to prevent this, she gave up.
I only have 3 chickens ranging in my yard, and I had 12 before.
I wish I had ordered more chicks. All 12 of them are fine, and it seems I will need them!
Why, why, why are my numbers dwindling? I was so hopeful when the first broody started... but it has been nothing but tragedy since then. To make matters worse, I have people wanting to buy eggs, and I have only 2 hens who aren't hurt, broody, or dead.
I want peeps!!!
Especially since one of the broodies is the twin of our deceased, and the two have always been inseperable... they went broody together even. If Char fails and I have to break her, she will be so lost without Ebony.
I was also really hoping for offspring from my dear rooster, but the chances of that are not looking good.
Since then, 5 more hens went broody, but then one of them and one of our 2 roos (my favorite) dropped dead. 3 of our non-broodies were wounded in a dog attack and one died. If there is not a miracle chick (which would be 2 days late) when I get home today, I will have to break my 2nd failed broody before she keels over. Only one of her eggs survived intact this far and it hasn't hatched as far as I know. The other 3 broodies are dumb and keep nest swapping, but the last time I moved one out of the coop to prevent this, she gave up.
I only have 3 chickens ranging in my yard, and I had 12 before.
I wish I had ordered more chicks. All 12 of them are fine, and it seems I will need them!
Why, why, why are my numbers dwindling? I was so hopeful when the first broody started... but it has been nothing but tragedy since then. To make matters worse, I have people wanting to buy eggs, and I have only 2 hens who aren't hurt, broody, or dead.
I want peeps!!!
Especially since one of the broodies is the twin of our deceased, and the two have always been inseperable... they went broody together even. If Char fails and I have to break her, she will be so lost without Ebony.
I was also really hoping for offspring from my dear rooster, but the chances of that are not looking good.
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