She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[RubyNala97]

I am not concerned yet, but I have always had one **** on day 20, and usually several by the start of day 21. With the black copper eggs, and the lower humidity, it could just be a little slower developing

I was wondering what word was supposed to fit in there. I played around with them but they didn't seem right!

My husband had shovel duty this morning. Our leghorn had had a prolapse a few months ago, but I helped to resolve it. We hadn't gotten any real eggs from her since, though I've found a few leathery white shells under the roost since then. I'm pretty sure she was laying internally as well, but I couldn't feel any swelling in her abdomen, and she was eating and drinking great, and at the top of the pecking order. Walking completely normally, too. Sunday afternoon, as I was getting everyone into the coop in preparation for them to be locked in until we got back from camping, she was puffed up, droopy-winged, and statue-standing She was also badly prolapsed. Even worse, I was able to walk up to her and pick her up with no protest or struggle whatsoever. Since Frieda and the chicks were out, I put Omelette II in the getting-to-know-you pen with lots of food and water (I'd just stocked it for Frieda and the chicks) and closed the top. Just as I was expecting, when we got home last night, I had a white corpse. Not sure when she passed, since we weren't here, but since the food looked untouched and the body wasn't stiff this morning, I'm guessing it was sometime Sunday night. The fact that she was head-down under the roost points to that, as well. I feel like a bad chicken owner, but she simply wasn't presenting any signs of suffering as late as Sunday morning when I let everyone into the run, and I didn't have time to look in on them before I locked them up, because we had church and then I had to finish packing up the camper while my husband did the Sunday afternoon street ministry. At least she didn't get pecked at when she couldn't defend herself, or after she couldn't feel anything anyway.

In other news, I've got something coming in the mail from Walnut

So sorry about the hen! Sounds like she wasn't in a lot of pain when she went. Congrats on the incubator!!

Must be me wishing for turkey eggs ! 

X2

That SOB walked around the hogwire roof until he found a place where the straps were far enough apart to mash down, went through, and chased them to a corner where he deboned my most beautiful mille Fleur cockerel. The whole roof is wavy from where he was walking around. More tomorrow, patching fence...

Sorry about another loss!! He's a smart one. Be prepared. Sounds like he'll be back.
What about the hatch??

 

[scflock]

I was wondering what word was supposed to fit in there. I played around with them but they didn't seem right!
So sorry about the hen! Sounds like she wasn't in a lot of pain when she went. Congrats on the incubator!!
X2
Sorry about another loss!! He's a smart one. Be prepared. Sounds like he'll be back.
What about the hatch??

Haven't even been inside yet. Patching fence. I want to talk to Walnut more tomorrow about electric wire. Never used it

 

[scflock]

FLOCK!!!

 

[RubyNala97]

I'm going to candle since I need to add water anyway. With no pips, that should be ok, right? What I can see through the incubator is that 3 have drawn down more and look good except those have the worst air cells, which makes me think maybe the chicks are malpositioned. 1 seems to have quit. And 2 seem good except the air cells don't seem to be drawing down. And of course those 2 had the best air cells! I'll see if I'm right...

 

[WVduckchick]

FLOCK!!!

x2!

 

[FridayYet]

x2!

X3 !!!

 

[FridayYet]

I'm going to candle since I need to add water anyway. With no pips, that should be ok, right? What I can see through the incubator is that 3 have drawn down more and look good except those have the worst air cells, which makes me think maybe the chicks are malpositioned. 1 seems to have quit. And 2 seem good except the air cells don't seem to be drawing down. And of course those 2 had the best air cells! I'll see if I'm right...

I'm so curious, too!! Hoping for the best.

 

[WalnutHill]

FLOCK!!!

What the flock is up now?

 

[RubyNala97]

FLOCK!!!

What's up??

 

[lazy gardener]

Hawk came back... d'uccle pen this time....
Bent between two hogwire roof panels. Possibly Liam, but picture she sent me looks like another juvenile roo. Only have feet feathers to go by in pic... I'm going to have to do a stakeout this weekend...

I share your frustration. That hawk needs to meet you face to face.

Should make it easier to take out! Sounds like its coming around the same time of day too.

What time is he striking? I'm thinking that early morning, and late afternoon seem to be prime target times.

No doubt

He's always flying over early evenings. Guess he's learned to perch at the buffet and wait. Am coop will make a good blind, and close enough to reduce him to a puff of feathers

I had 2 hawks circling this morning. I wish you the best luck dealing with him.