Rose's tiny flock

We are a year into the flock, one broody hen has hatched out 9 eggs (one chick passed at a day old, and it looks like we may lose a second a week in.. these things happen).

But I have a second hen sitting on 24 eggs.. because I got sick and I wasn't able to collect eggs for a few days. I have homes lined up for most of these chicks. People have been fawning over my chickens for a while. I'll likely only be keeping 2-3 hens from these hatchings as I feel that'll be the most I have room for long term.
 
Well I didn't keep any of the 8 chicks. I sold them locally. I don't really have space for more chickens .. not reasonably anyway.

Though I have a second hen trying to hatch. She may only end up with one chick. I didn't know she had crushed 2 or 3 eggs and they were all over the rest of the nest. 😞

I noticed a smell today and heard a chick peeping. So I decided to check. I moved her to a fresh nest with the chick and wiped the eggs that were whole off a bit.. I'm not confident they are going to hatch but we'll see.

Noted for the future. Only allow these big ladies to keep 8 to 10 eggs total. Any more and they seem to break them from just being chunks.

I'm a little worried as there were maggots under the main egg that was crushed.. I'll look the hen over more tomorrow just to be safe.

I didn't want to stress her out more then I had already by moving her to a new nest with the eggs and chick. But that stuff needed to go asap.
 
In other news.. my rooster has earned his keep. I've been letting them free roam the yard after 5 or 6 each day. Last night a young possum must have gotten in through the roof.. (I need to out hardware cloth up there and cut the branches back now to the trees). But the possum didn't get to do any harm. I feel bad where it was young but it was long dead by the time I got out there to the commotion.
 
Forgot to post these.
 

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