Hen---so sorry to hear about your sisters troubles! I hope she gets whatever did it. Raccoon??? Of course you have sources to hook her up with more! I would expect nothing less!!!! lol
Lap--I got my nipples from a guy on this forum. I will have to look him up and give you his name. I put them in a pvc pipe that I made into a waterer. It works well. With the number of chickens you have, you may have to use the pipe with a 5 gallon water bucket. There are several good ideas on how to build one on the forum under feeders and waterers. I have 26 juvenile rirs right now and just went to a 5 gal galvanized waterer and a nipple waterer so I dont have to worry about water when I am at work for 9 hours. Works great.
My dd was a nice chicken sister and let everyone out to freerange yesterday afternoon so they all had a nice day. The terrorists, while confined to the portable pen, were happy to be out and stayed inside the fence, even though they can now fly over it if they want to. The boys havent started to crow yet but they are getting their tail feathers and hackles in, combs and wattles and are getting much bigger than the girls. They are going to be an impressive size when they finish growing. I cant wait till they learn to go inside at dusk. I have to bring out the magic red can and step inside the coop and shake it so they come running for the goodies. Of course, the girls then come looking for their share as well. Nope, I dont spoil my chickens. I do believe in bribery though!!!
My silkie tots are growing nicely and I just might have 3 girls and a boy after all. Time will tell. Little Man and his harem have been busy with his bratty children. His son is a trouble maker. Both Sassy and Stripe are mothering the 2 chicks but Sarah wants nothing to do with them. I feel sorry for her as she is spending her days trying to curry favor and interest from Little Man. I have had no eggs from any of the girls since Stripe hatched out her chick. I am hoping that will change once they stop mommy duties. Question--would it be okay to put the chicks in with the tots when they get bigger or should I just leave them with mom? They will be going to a new home in 3 weeks or so anyways.