Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Miss Lydia]

All 13 chickens are doing fine this morning. They were very happy to be let out of their coop and are freeranging in their larger net covered run. Hoping to let them back out to freerange in sunshine by tomorrow.
Checked on Topsy when I cleaned up the massive amount of poo in the manure box. Topsy was smooshed down on her 5 eggs. She's due to hatch them on Thurs. However one was crushed and stinky so I removed it. That leaves 4 eggs under her.
As I was cleaning I kept hearing a faint chirp sound. I looked and sure enough there is a slight pip on one egg. I don't want to mess with Topsy or the egg so we shall see later if that one survives. These were her eggs (by the partridge silkie) and she has only hatched adopted eggs in the past so if it survives it will be interesting to see how it looks.
Only minimal damage from superstorm Sandy. The kids' swingset tent is ripped and flapping. But it's been in direct sunlight for 7+ years. The posts I put to hold up the netting are leaning a little. I only buried them about a foot and didn't cement them in place.
Otherwise we lost power for a few seconds only and no leaks! Yeah! We did worse with Irene.

So the worst is over for you all? I hope so, We got a heavy wet snow it's beautiful outside and the wind is still blowing pretty hard, but it isn't as bad as predicted. Everyone came outside this morning but a few chickens. Trying to keep out of the wind will be their work today.

 

[bobbieschicks]

So the worst is over for you all? I hope so, We got a heavy wet snow it's beautiful outside and the wind is still blowing pretty hard, but it isn't as bad as predicted. Everyone came outside this morning but a few chickens. Trying to keep out of the wind will be their work today. 

Yes I think we are finished except for some very cold rain. They say there is a chance of 50mph gusts, but those 30+ winds are gone. It is closer to 15mph now.

My son would be jealous, he wanted it to snow.

 

[Johnn]

welll guess it's not over, another hen missing/dead today, i think its a fox or buzzard whos killed it but this is what i have to work from!:

 

[aoxa]

welll guess it's not over, another hen missing/dead today, i think its a fox or buzzard whos killed it but this is what i have to work from!:

I am so sorry Johnn!

Fox is my guess. They take the entire bird without leaving traces. I hope it was quick.

My suggestion would be to invest in a Livestock guardian dog, or another livestock guardian type animal (Llamas and Donkeys work well). Though a LGD will easily dissuade a fox.

Since it is during the day, you may want to keep them in a run.

 

[Miss Lydia]

welll guess it's not over, another hen missing/dead today, i think its a fox or buzzard whos killed it but this is what i have to work from!:

So sorry Johnn.

 

[Johnn]

Thanks to you both, a game keeper said a fox would take everyone though :/, im starting to lean towars a buzzard because i find it weird how Flora was killed but left and Melow and Workid were taken, and i think the Buzzard could not carry Flora because she was a big fat girl and Melow and Workid were quite skinny and small, i dont really want to put them in a run they aren't use to it and wouldnt appreciate it, i also feel if something gets in the run they have no chance to be able to escape.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks to you both, a game keeper said a fox would take everyone though :/, im starting to lean towars a buzzard because i find it weird how Flora was killed but left and Melow and Workid were taken, and i think the Buzzard could not carry Flora because she was a big fat girl and Melow and Workid were quite skinny and small, i dont really want to put them in a run they aren't use to it and wouldnt appreciate it, i also feel if something gets in the run they have no chance to be able to escape.

I have a working dog who watches the birds, but she is not fully free ranging with them yet.. I have not lost a single bird yet. I have been researching birds of prey - you've heard "know your enemies".. We don't have many large birds of prey. The Northern Goshawk is the biggest BOP. They weigh less than 2 pounds and usually take birds smaller than them, but can take bigger birds (twice their size), however, almost all of my birds are at least 6 pounds..

And we have a lot of cover.. as well as Clem (the LGD). Maybe you can get one as well? Or a donkey.. Who doesn't love a donkey!

 

[aoxa]

Thanks to you both, a game keeper said a fox would take everyone though :/, im starting to lean towars a buzzard because i find it weird how Flora was killed but left and Melow and Workid were taken, and i think the Buzzard could not carry Flora because she was a big fat girl and Melow and Workid were quite skinny and small, i dont really want to put them in a run they aren't use to it and wouldnt appreciate it, i also feel if something gets in the run they have no chance to be able to escape.

Yes.. They tend to take a lot. My friend lost 25 birds and 3 were left.. One was injured, one had not come back to the coop to roost, so she wasn't even close to the attack, and one was hidden enough to be left behind.

They left no traces. Not even feathers.

 

[Johnn]

It's my uncles/my mams land, its rented out to a farmer who has sheep in there so i doubt he would appreciate having a donkey there, he gets to say what goes there and dosent, im only meant tohave 8 hens, her thinks i have 9, at teh time i had 14 and now i have 11!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes.. They tend to take a lot. My friend lost 25 birds and 3 were left.. One was injured, one had not come back to the coop to roost, so she wasn't even close to the attack, and one was hidden enough to be left behind.
They left no traces. Not even feathers.

I can't imagine a buzzard taking a chicken, I thought they only ate dead animals. we have lots of buzzards but never saw any of them looking over the flock. Hawks are our biggest BOP Red Tails being the biggest. We have lots of trees but they are just about stripped of their leaves now, especially with the wind we got from Sandy last night. Some of my larger bushes don't lose their leaves and make for good hiding places. I would love to have an LGD but with having 4 dogs already I'll have to wait on one of them, MY 3 mini Dachshunds and my mixed breed do keep alot of things away though. I just don't leave them outside all the time.