Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[TheGeekySheep]

Yaaay so adorable!

 

[CackleJoy]

I've lost track of the days. I'm a doula and was called to a long birth. That always messes up my week. Anyway, I don't know how many days it has been since I last posted but we have had no more chick deaths.

The real test will be after this next hatch. Looking forward to seeing how many survive. Fertility was terrible. TERRIBLE. I didn't think the heat was bothering them but I guess it did in a way I couldn't see. Out of 30, only 9 developed. GAH!

Some of those were from when the broody hen was put back in the pen so none of her eggs were fertile yet. Anyway, I'm hoping for 7 or 8 chicks and it will be nice to see if they all make it.

I'm also hoping that the cooling weather means the next eggs I set will grow!

Because I live in California and our atmosphere is too arid to keep the eggs on the counter, I refrigerate them prior to incubation. This has not reduced viability in a significant manner before. I just remembered cracking a bunch of half-frozen eggs the other day. I wonder if my fridge didn't get too cold and that's what happened to the last batch. Might be the fridge and not the girls!

 

[Melabella]

"Look Mom, I'm a big sister"! Emphasis on the SISTER!

 

[Melabella]

I've lost track of the days. I'm a doula and was called to a long birth. That always messes up my week. Anyway, I don't know how many days it has been since I last posted but we have had no more chick deaths.

The real test will be after this next hatch. Looking forward to seeing how many survive. Fertility was terrible. TERRIBLE. I didn't think the heat was bothering them but I guess it did in a way I couldn't see. Out of 30, only 9 developed. GAH!

Some of those were from when the broody hen was put back in the pen so none of her eggs were fertile yet. Anyway, I'm hoping for 7 or 8 chicks and it will be nice to see if they all make it.

I'm also hoping that the cooling weather means the next eggs I set will grow!

Because I live in California and our atmosphere is too arid to keep the eggs on the counter, I refrigerate them prior to incubation. This has not reduced viability in a significant manner before. I just remembered cracking a bunch of half-frozen eggs the other day. I wonder if my fridge didn't get too cold and that's what happened to the last batch. Might be the fridge and not the girls!

So happy to hear about no more chick deaths...and praying for your next hatch! So wonderful you are a doula.. I have often thought that would be an amazing job to have. Scooping up all those bundles of joys.. and watching over them, and then GIVING THEM BACK! lol... jk. but what a neat profession.

Keep us posted!

MB

 

[LisaLouHoo]

"Look Mom, I'm a big sister"! Emphasis on the SISTER!

Nicely zipping pipping picture! Congrats!!

 

[Melabella]

Nero helping me clean out the grow out stall.
MB

 

[Bulldogma]

Nero helping me clean out the grow out stall.
MB

Mela - uhhhh...

I saw the recent side view of Nero...

Ummmmmm...

I don't know how to tell you this buuuuuutttt...

You have a black-based snoleopard boy there!

This is Magnus. Look familiar??



(This kind of amazing luck couldn't have happened to a better person!)

 

[Melabella]

I can't believe that we both didn't pick up on that before! I was looking at his brown patches and was thinking how unique it looked! Well, I can't believe how incredibly fortunate I am! All three of them are stunning, and I have 5 of your beauties in the brooder, just hatched! Cant wait to see them in the morning, and see what they look like all fluffed up! I am really hoping for more girls than boys this time to go with my two handsome roos! I am so happy!

Thank you Leigh!!!!

Melabella

 

[Melabella]

Hey all! I hatched 5 new little swedes yesterday!

 

[TurnipTruck]

Congrats on the new little fluff nuggets.