Not sure where to put this

[chuckachucka]

Oh no, I can't imagine losing chickens to a predator like that! The guilt is horrible but at the end of the day the raccoon was to blame and at least Frodo, Sam and Gandalf were loved and lived well as long as they did - not many roosters are that fortunate, sadly.

I don't know if it's hard heartedness but the losses do get easier to get over. I've lost a few chicks who didn't make it through difficult hatches and a couple at one or two days old. It's always hard but each time I cope with it better. Learning everything I can about how to care for chicks and chickens helps, which is why I love this site!

 

[JacquiN]

I know, right. That’s why I chose Roos to start with. Not many people want more than what they need for the hen population. Unfortunately, my husband told me to get a hen or get rid of them. He didn’t want to just enjoy them as I did. Lol. Didn’t matter in the end, because I took every single egg that Pearl laid to be hatched. I couldn’t eat them, knowing there might be a chick in there. Every egg she gave me hatched, and I have all of them. So her legacy will live on...

I meant to tell you!! I just finished Ester’s new diaper!! Tell me what you think. Critique me.

 

[chuckachucka]

I have the same problem eating the fertile eggs from my girls! I only got a rooster this year and I ended up scrambling the eggs and feeding them back to the chickens, then buying eggs from the store for myself. Crazy, I know.

It's so cute that Pearl lives on in her chicks!

The diaper is looking good. Have you had any successful with Ester wearing it yet? Yours has the Velcro in a different place than mine but should work as well. Mine pinches together with velcro at the top just above the tail which I find helps to keep the poop bag in place, but it is the part that annoys Custard the most. I forgot to mention that little bit you have to cut out at the top, but you did it anyway!

I've been having trouble with one of my diapers lately. The little v cut out on the too of the poop bag is a bit too big and she is able to reach her beak in there and pull out the tissue liner. Argh.

 

[JacquiN]

If the hens on this round of chicks start laying, and as long as I know they’re not fertile, I think my conscience would set better with eating them.

If you want me to make one and send it to you, I could!! I’m new to sewing, but I love it!!

The reason I had to put it around her fluffy tail is because it would block her oil / preening gland. And she goes a little psycho if she can’t get to it.

So far I’ve had to take it up once - she still has enough room to get one of her toes in ( even after I’ve taken it up once already ). I’m gonna have to extend the Velcro attachment on the diaper part to make it snug enough. It’s tricky. If it’s too snug on ANY part of her body she hyperventilates and if it’s too loose, clumsy big feet and toes find the smallest of gaps and she quite literally flips out.

Also going to have to purchase a bigger air purifier. The smallish one isn’t keeping up. At all. And it’s only with the chicks.

 

[chuckachucka]

It's all trial and error with the diapers I think. My Custard still manages to catch a claw in the underside of one of hers sometimes and gets in a flap. It's hard to get it right but so worth it! I spent a couple of weeks in the beginning running behind her with a roll of tissue and that was no fun at all.

Aww those chicks sound like a handful. I don't like to point fingers but SOMEONE has made me miss chicks in the house so much that I have accidentally ordered some more eggs on ebay... Haven't told my husband yet either. I'm trying to think of an excuse for why I just have to hatch some more chickens in the middle of winter...

I would love for you to make me a new diaper but I actually live in England so the postage might not be practical! My sewing skills are questionable at best.

 

[JacquiN]

Lol!! Oops!!! Can’t say I blame you!! And no, the going behind definitely sucks chicken butt!!

It will fit in a regular envelope so postage should only be a dollar or so. So no worries!!If you think you can get measurements from Ms Custard, I’d love to make a few!! I’ve got some cute fabric. I can message you pics of the fabrics to choose from.

 

[cottontail farm]

I kow nothing about house chickens or chicken diapers, what with my birds living outside. This has been an interesting read but I have a really dumb question: how do your hennies lay eggs? In the diaper?

 

[JacquiN]

As Ester is my first house chicken and still not mature enough to lay an egg, I’m not sure? But she does go in her house at night, so I would assume then.

 

[chuckachucka]

I kow nothing about house chickens or chicken diapers, what with my birds living outside. This has been an interesting read but I have a really dumb question: how do your hennies lay eggs? In the diaper?

Custard is my first indoor chicken too, and has not started laying eggs yet. However she has a cage with her food and water in that she can access any time, and I have a crate on hand if she prefers that. I intend to watch her behaviour and remove the diaper when I can tell she is going to lay.

 

[cottontail farm]

Awesome! It makes sense to just pay attention to the chicken. Thanks to both of you. Learn something new every day here.