Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Looks like about 18 eggs (0ver the last few days) it is time to add clean straw and wood chips....I am keeping several eggs ahead for who ever wants to go brood. They should start soon now, maybe after this last storm coming in. Cheeka - I think 2 days apart is OK for the broody....mine seem to stay on the nest and hatch for three days, and I believe the hen can hear the peeps and movement and bonds with them then, rather, before they hatch out....she will know if there is a chick in the egg. If that makes sense. My bh brought a hen inside today for inspection, they are well and eating good....hope for some pictures tomorrow. Really want to get out there before the cold snap to make nests.

 

[cheeka]

hi ACW, nice to see ya! honestly, I didn't even candle the eggs... I just gave her something to sit on, so I figure if she kicks them out, they're duds... but she's sitting away... it's pretty cute.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Just snapped some pictures, "Rebel" named by my oldest, has white feet!

i did notice he also has bumblefoot. so we will take care of that during quarantine. He is not mean at all, but he will peck you if scared... I do think he is younger than my Red, not by much tho


Wow big spurs on him too... he likes the fermented feed, chowing on it like he hasn't eaten in days.



He and butters were having an argument over who's room this is. Butters

is very unhappy there's a rooster in his room! Even more unhappy mom was giving his mealworms to that rooster! And Why is he in the crate again that big rooster is messing up his day!





Also got a couple of our new babies, they arrived this morning! just

already pooping in the food

aww fuzzy butts!



this little one is fighting sleep its so cute


Now am going back to catch up on everyone's posts!

 

[BullChick]

I don't know why,, but I cannot get a response in my Cross Beak thread. Cadbury has FF in her beard and chest feathers. It is hard as a rock, and I cannot get it to soften, and wash out. I tried cutting it, but she flipped, and then I nipped her. She is fine having her beak trimmed, so I don't know what the problem was. I do know the weight of the food has to hurt. So, anyone know what I can do about it?
OK, you did read the other post about the new coop being for a trio, right?

 

[cheeka]

MC, I would try massaging some oil into the feathers. it might help the feed to release. if that doesn't work, I would try Goo Gone. which can be purchased at Home Depot type stores. It's natural, safe... I remember some nature show maybe 15 years ago... where they found a tortoise that had been spray painted Ford blue. the paint was killing the poor thing and the rescuers were desperate to clean it off safely... I kept hollering at the TV to get Goo Gone... they must have heard me, as that's what they eventually found and used to save it...

 

[showbarnmom]

I wonder if a Dawn soap bath would help?

 

[cheeka]

JCH, nice pictures! the rooster is cool looking, and yeah, he's got some spurs!!! the chicks are adorable, it's amazing how short the time is for the fluffy little puffballs... in a week, they'll look totally different

 

[cheeka]

SBM, I was going to suggest Dawn as well... but I figured she might have tried that... but making a paste to rub on the feathers my help... how long is a chicken willing to sit in a bath? I've never tried

 

[showbarnmom]

Me either :-/ I wonder if mineral oil would work? I use cowboy magic brand oil stuff, forget exactly what its called, it get burrs out of any haired critter on my place, wonder if it would work on feathers?

Speaking of dawn....I need to buy a new bottle. Used the last of it today washing my hay burner.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Very nice, OK.
Today I manged to get two cinder blocks under the coop frame. I think 4 more should do it. The frame is 4X8. I have 2 on the 4' side, but think 3 going along the 8' side makes more sense. Anyway. After 2 blocks I was pooped (that frame is HEAVY!!) and I realized that I have a hinged door on the new bottom.

So I have to stand the thing up, remove the door (I need the hinges for another door anyway) and fasten it on right. I think I can have the whole thing done in a few hours if I keep at it. I do need my DH to saw a board in half for me. I just hope he cuts straight this time! I also need chicken wire. I have hardware cloth. I am pretty sure I have enough of that. I just have to remember ventilation! I was planning out the final design today, and forgot while I was imagining it. Silly me. It really has been a long day. I found 12 eggs. One I am pretty sure is not from today. It was cracked anyway, so the girls got it.

When i saw your posts on the rabbit hutch, my brain went "ding ding ding!" I found it, and old feeding stand for the big goats, its still out in the field. So i looked it over and its still solid. That just solved the killer guinea problems wohoo! gonna grab it from the field with the tractor tomorrow! its about 4 ft tall, good heavy roof. I can add a box to the open side. will post "before" pics tomorrow!
Got several used rolls of chain link so i can build a temporary run for them too.