NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

I always thought Rhubarb had to be made with something else but there are a number of just Rhubarb recipes including jelly and tea. I'm busy today but will post some when I can.

I planted another Black Currant bush today.

 

[melbu23]

4 of the 5 sizzles that hatched. 1 didn't make it. It had an internal pip and then gave up. Not sure what happened. I cracked open the shell, it didn't look sharing wrapped. Here are the 4 that are dried off so far...

ohhh how cute!!! Sorry one did not make it.

 

[huntin fool]

Thanks everyone. So the trap is set with some delicious chicken breast in the area near where the attack happened. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what would kill the hen, eat her head and open her chest and eat the innards, and leave everything else? I believe this thing also took my frizzle pullets that disappeared, but it has not bothered any full size birds. Something also snuck into my coop and stole every single egg, even the ones under the broodies, a few days ago, but did not bother the broodies themselves. Could be the same thing that killed the hen. So if anyone has any guesses as to what it is I would love to get some opinions.

On the hatching front, I did some eggtopsies and as I had suspected, the humidity was too high and most of the chicks drowned. Would poking more vent holes in the LG help this, you think? This is the problem I had with my old one and why I only use it as a hatcher. The other option is to just take the heating system and fit it to my homemade styrofoam incubator whose thermostat quit. Of course the turner doesn't fit it though, so I would like to be able to use the LG if at all possible.

And finally, hatch count so far is four ameraucanas, one of which is under a broody outside, one lavender orp and one black orp. All the others drowned. Also, the black orp is doing a weird thing. It doesn't walk right. Its legs appear to be perfectly fine, and it can stand perfectly, so it's not slipped tendons. It's not splay leg either. It just doesn't seem to grasp the concept of moving one leg and then the other, and instead kangaroo hops around the brooder.

Sorry you had to see that. My wife called me at work when she found the same thing. It was a possum that got our ladies. Raccoons a good possibility, good luck

 

[County Boy]

Thanks everyone. So the trap is set with some delicious chicken breast in the area near where the attack happened. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what would kill the hen, eat her head and open her chest and eat the innards, and leave everything else? I believe this thing also took my frizzle pullets that disappeared, but it has not bothered any full size birds. Something also snuck into my coop and stole every single egg, even the ones under the broodies, a few days ago, but did not bother the broodies themselves. Could be the same thing that killed the hen. So if anyone has any guesses as to what it is I would love to get some opinions.

On the hatching front, I did some eggtopsies and as I had suspected, the humidity was too high and most of the chicks drowned. Would poking more vent holes in the LG help this, you think? This is the problem I had with my old one and why I only use it as a hatcher. The other option is to just take the heating system and fit it to my homemade styrofoam incubator whose thermostat quit. Of course the turner doesn't fit it though, so I would like to be able to use the LG if at all possible.

And finally, hatch count so far is four ameraucanas, one of which is under a broody outside, one lavender orp and one black orp. All the others drowned. Also, the black orp is doing a weird thing. It doesn't walk right. Its legs appear to be perfectly fine, and it can stand perfectly, so it's not slipped tendons. It's not splay leg either. It just doesn't seem to grasp the concept of moving one leg and then the other, and instead kangaroo hops around the brooder.

I'm definitely going to say you hav a weasel on your hands. By the description you told us about your hen it sounds identical to what the weasels I've trapped did my chicks and hens.

 

[rancher hicks]

I'm definitely going to say you hav a weasel on your hands. By the description you told us about your hen it sounds identical to what the weasels I've trapped did my chicks and hens.

there are some good videos on Youtube for building a Weasel trap. Cheap and except for the rat trap you most likely have all the stuff on hand to build one.

 

[Pyxis]

[
there are some good videos on Youtube for building a Weasel trap.  Cheap and except for the rat trap you most likely have all the stuff on hand to build one. 

Thanks, I'll look it up! In the meantime maybe I'll get it in my live trap.

 

[elroddo]

Not sure a weasel would drag off the chicks though. Thats kind of interesting, unless something else got the chicks after the weasel killed the mom. I agree that the hens death sounds like a weasel, or even a mink. Mink like to kill for fun though, so its not abnormal to find lots of dead animals and none of them are eaten.

 

[why do birds]

TOB Thanks for the compliment of Fredo's coloring. He's about 5 months old now.

Cracrzy4chicks: Right now the birds have only the back hall coop but the rooster comes inside. He doesn't stay long anymore because he wants to be back with the other 2 birds. We hope to build soon, we have 37 acres, large hay field. This was shot today, a neighbor takes the hay, maintains the field, it's very nice. They have cows. I was in the middle of the field today first shot is looking to the back of the property, second shot is looking to the front, you can see the big barn over the round hay bale.


Taken from the orchard, the tree is the pear tree that gives late pears in November. The barn is 30x60. It needs some work, but we hope to house poultry there after we move! It has electric, lights already there, and plumbing for water.

Lynzii, did you ask what animal might eat the head, and leave part of the guts? We have a female cat that does this. She zippers her prey, and spits out the gall bladders, and leaves bits of the skin. She usually goes for rodents but on occasion will eat birds. I hope you catch the critter. BTW, I love the pics of your birds; they're so nice.

Does anyone use an internet or other surveillance system for their coops? If so, what system do you use and do you like it?

Rancher, we have you and your DW in our daily prayers. My heart goes out to her, and to you. Sometimes it's nice to have some soft foods around, like oatmeal, cream of wheat, maypo, applesauce, or scrambled eggs with milk. We pray for her quick recovery and for your continued good health. God Bless. Have a peaceful evening.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

Pyxis - I'm so sorry about your loss.

Everyone got some free time today even all the babies got some time out. The baby ducks loved being on all the grass. They have some in their section, but nothing like the yard and they LOVED it. The older boys kept their distance from them and even gave the little girls some more room then normal.

While everyone was out and about, I was moving a few things around. Trying to make room for a broody section to keep the chicks safe. Peepers egg's should be hatching any day now. I did the water test on them today. The 2 maran eggs are doing great and wiggling around great. Peepers egg didn't move at all so I cracked it open..YUCK. never developed. I was sad. That was the one egg I really wanted to hatch... But anyway I opened up the silkie's little coop before I moved it and found this:

I haven't been checking in there during the day, just at night to make sure that they are all snuggled in. They were always in the one corner so didn't think to much about it. Looks like I need to start checking during the day! DD was so excited. She had to have them for dinner! The silkies had a great time being out and about.The big kids (LF) didn't bother them too much, but my black frizzle roo, Woody didn't waste anytime to claim her as his own!

 

[Overhill Flocks]

What is a Belgium cuckoo Malinne?

Here's the link from Greenfire : http://greenfirefarms.com/store/category/chickens/malines/

Full disclosure, I purchased these on auction and got 11 for about what they are selling a single chick for on their site. I like rare breeds, but I'm not THAT fancy!!! Hope we will love them (do so far) and will maintain a small breeding flock.