Official Squatch Watchers

[FlyingNunFarm]

I want to pose a question to you all.

When we go to sell our eggs, I want to list them as semi free range, as they do get some times during the week where they are out of their run and graze in our front and side yard. We don't let them free range unsupervised, nor when the weather is particularly tatery. So, semi free range listed would be OK yes? I can also put cage free since they aren't in cages... and they *free range* in their run that easily gives them each more than 10sq ft per bird. Their coops are always open into the run as well, which would also count as cage free..... or am I overstretching?

With our chickens producing close to 20 eggs per day, we really gotta get off our duffs and get eggs out there selling. I'm not sure who, but one of our chickies is laying very small, very dark olive green eggs. I need to put all our little eggs together in a basket and take a pretty photo.

Well, gnight all. Hope everyone had a luscious day!

Not rushing into buying. But is now a daily happening.

Also woke up to this!

I say my chickens safe range. I would say something like “happy healthy safe chickens” I guess it depends on how you’re selling.
People who get eggs from me know my chickens are pets. I do what needs to be done so they are safe. They give a donation in exchange for eggs. But it’s all word of mouth. I’ve never put up a sign or advertised eggs.

People buying from you know they are not getting battery hen eggs. That’s what matters to them.

 

[ronott1]

I want to pose a question to you all.

When we go to sell our eggs, I want to list them as semi free range, as they do get some times during the week where they are out of their run and graze in our front and side yard. We don't let them free range unsupervised, nor when the weather is particularly tatery. So, semi free range listed would be OK yes? I can also put cage free since they aren't in cages... and they *free range* in their run that easily gives them each more than 10sq ft per bird. Their coops are always open into the run as well, which would also count as cage free..... or am I overstretching?

With our chickens producing close to 20 eggs per day, we really gotta get off our duffs and get eggs out there selling. I'm not sure who, but one of our chickies is laying very small, very dark olive green eggs. I need to put all our little eggs together in a basket and take a pretty photo.

Well, gnight all. Hope everyone had a luscious day!

Don't use semi. They are free range. Free range does is not defined as always outside:

Free-range eggs are eggs produced from birds that may be permitted outdoors. The term "free-range" may be used differently depending on the country and the relevant laws, and is not regulated in many areas. Eggsfrom hens that are only indoors might also be labelled cage-free, barn, barn-roaming or aviary.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I'm finished my Franken-bator article!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...low-topped-model-with-the-incukit-mini.73820/

 

[CSAchook]

Hello beloved squatcher friends! Just got back from my trip to DC. Had an amazing time but am totally exhausted. And I missed you all!

I know a number of you are going through tough times right now and I am sending all my most positive vibes and big digital hugs

 

[CSAchook]

So, question for the group: anyone ever had an egg go missing from under mamma hen?

Last night was day ten of incubation so I candled Bubbles’ eggs for the first time (more on the candling results later, I promise ).
When I reached under her I only found 9 out of the 10 eggs I gave her! I checked around her and under her wings then finally got so frantic I picked her up and shone a flashlight in the nest. Nothing.

Do you think she kicked it out of the nest and maybe it is now somewhere in the coop or buried under some pine shavings? I am so confused!

 

[Redhead Rae]

So, question for the group: anyone ever had an egg go missing from under mamma hen?

Last night was day ten of incubation so I candled Bubbles’ eggs for the first time (more on the candling results later, I promise ).
When I reached under her I only found 9 out of the 10 eggs I gave her! I checked around her and under her wings then finally got so frantic I picked her up and shone a flashlight in the nest. Nothing.

Do you think she kicked it out of the nest and maybe it is now somewhere in the coop or buried under some pine shavings? I am so confused!

It probably broke and she ate it.

 

[ronott1]

So, question for the group: anyone ever had an egg go missing from under mamma hen?

Last night was day ten of incubation so I candled Bubbles’ eggs for the first time (more on the candling results later, I promise ).
When I reached under her I only found 9 out of the 10 eggs I gave her! I checked around her and under her wings then finally got so frantic I picked her up and shone a flashlight in the nest. Nothing.

Do you think she kicked it out of the nest and maybe it is now somewhere in the coop or buried under some pine shavings? I am so confused!

Could be hidden up in the wing.

I have heard about other broodies stealing eggs for themselves. Yes, hens can move eggs from one nest to another. They can even move them up ladders and roosts

 

[apryl29]

We already had a bee keeper come and get the bees and honey. But yeah, they keep making more honey. The keepers said it was the biggest hive they had seen in terms of bees. All three of them got badly stung, they were poorly equipped. But they got the honey out and caught the queen and a lot of the bees. Now the area is properly boarded up.

OHhhh I thought you meant that the bees were still in the walls. Wow, that's scary. I bet they believe the next person who calls and says they have a big hive.. they've probably had people call before and it's the size of a softball.

Good morning, sweet Squatchers!

Here are a couple of new photos of Pippins. She is VERY fluffy and frizzled, and is a big scaredycat, even though she is the biggest of my babes! (I'm hoping she's a she. They're a month old now. Any guesses? @WVduckchick )

View attachment 1343391 View attachment 1343394

@apryl29, how is your aunt? I'm so sorry that happened to her...

Pippins' beautiful. I hope it's a girl too.

She's still in a coma, but she's doing well, thanks for asking. Found out more details. It was a long hauler, 2 cars. She was in the front w/ my cousin's kids. Luckily they ran out when they heard the engine rev, but my aunt was sitting on the floor and has trouble getting around. She got pinned between the car and a generator that was at the front of the trailer. My uncle was pulling the car up the ramps to hook it up to a winch to pull it into the trailer, but something happened and the car accelerated. They think something broke. They're really lucky that things weren't much worse. If it'd had happened at the track a lot more people could have been hurt.

Could be hidden up in the wing.

I have heard about other broodies stealing eggs for themselves. Yes, hens can move eggs from one nest to another. They can even move them up ladders and roosts

Really?! That's something I need to see!

 

[CapricornFarm]

So, question for the group: anyone ever had an egg go missing from under mamma hen?

Last night was day ten of incubation so I candled Bubbles’ eggs for the first time (more on the candling results later, I promise ).
When I reached under her I only found 9 out of the 10 eggs I gave her! I checked around her and under her wings then finally got so frantic I picked her up and shone a flashlight in the nest. Nothing.

Do you think she kicked it out of the nest and maybe it is now somewhere in the coop or buried under some pine shavings? I am so confused!

Could be another hen took it, or possibly a snake...

 

[Molpet]

So, question for the group: anyone ever had an egg go missing from under mamma hen?

Last night was day ten of incubation so I candled Bubbles’ eggs for the first time (more on the candling results later, I promise ).
When I reached under her I only found 9 out of the 10 eggs I gave her! I checked around her and under her wings then finally got so frantic I picked her up and shone a flashlight in the nest. Nothing.

Do you think she kicked it out of the nest and maybe it is now somewhere in the coop or buried under some pine shavings? I am so confused!

yep every couple of hatches.. had a couple hatches where there was 1 less chick than hatched egg shells... I assume the eggs broke and the chicks died and were eaten...it's their instinct to clean up so predators are not attracted .. did find a smushed chick buried under the hen one time too.