The New Flock 2021: Back to Basics

[speckledhen]

Mixed nuts, yep, that's my bunch, especially those Easter Eggers. By the way, today, Iris seems less broody. She came outside with the group and didn't go back until I had to run them back inside because of a storm coming. And she's barely clucking either. Cricket is on Day 10 with her five eggs today. She is such a good broody. She will occasionally get off and eat/drink without me always having to haul her off the nest, though I do make sure she gets off to "unload" once each day anyway.

 

[speckledhen]

Today is Day 19 for Cricket's 5 eggs. One of them dropped a few inches into a bed of shavings when I picked her up-I did sweep my hands under there, but missed it; I candled it a couple of days later and the chick was moving though the air cell had that shipped air cell look, large and scalloped. I'm not holding out a lot of hope for that one, but it would surprise me. She's such a dedicated broody, that one. Iris has snapped out of her broody spell, thankfully.

 

[speckledhen]

Cricket's eggs are active and one has been pipped all day, bouncing babies in the others at last check earlier today.
I do have one issue. Ripley, my beautiful, sweet, adventurous Ripley is ailing for some reason. Scooping poop this morning, I noticed I was raking around her and she was standing like a taxidermy stuffed bird, no response, not a twitch. When I spoke to her, she didn't even acknowledge me, not at all like herself. I picked her up and she was pretty limp. She would not eat, refused scratch mix from my hand and sprinkled beside her on the roost bar. I left her there and finished chores, then let them outside and they ran out, Ripley with them. But in a few minutes, she just stopped like she ran out of steam. She walks like she's dragging her feet. No injuries, no crop issues, no bloat, and I think she's been laying fine. I have no clue. I hate to lose her.
She and Rayna are my favorite EE hens in that group. My sweet girl, I have no idea what happened, if she got hurt and it's internal or there's just something amiss inside that just now showed up. Her back is still bare after a long time with a saddle because when I removed it to give her a break, the others picked the new feathers off her (there were only about 3-4). Here she was, having come back inside and just standing there while others did their usual stuff outdoors on this gorgeous spring-like day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry to hear that Cynthia. Maybe she's got a big egg coming? I hope it's nothing serious.

 

[speckledhen]

I got a clue at roost time. She was on top of the nest box where I put her while cleaning up. And she stayed there, was going to sleep there, very unusual for her. Tom picked her up to check her over, a second set of hands and eyes, and I happened to see some clear stuff and a piece of shell hanging from her bum. Seems an egg must have broken inside of her and not likely today, must have been at least a couple of days ago for her to be so down in the mouth, not really sure how long. I know she was laying at least a week ago, or I think she was. I made an executive decision, made up the hospital cage with a gallon waterer laced with Duramycin in case there was infection setting up inside her, and some food in Atlas's bowl, one of those that is stainless steel and rubber base. I didn't want those boys continually jumping her and that could have been what happened with the egg, but who knows? I did make sure some of that medicated water got into her and then she went to the back corner and curled up to sleep, not a peep about being in an unfamiliar place. I hope she makes it.

Cricket has at least three of the five eggs pipped, one cheeping.

 

[getaclue]

Fingers crossed for your eggs, and for Cricket. Yeah, make sure she gets the Duramycin for a week, to help stop any internal infection from the broken egg. Hopefully you caught it in time, and she's young, so the odds are in her favor of pulling through.

 

[speckledhen]

UPDATE: Four chicks hatched, including the one pipped since yesterday, which seems extremely exhausted, and that one appears to be a Buff, so that would be Cricket's own chick with Magnus since Forrest can't successfully breed-and Cricket won't allow him to anyway. It's amazing how those hens know a substandard male, isn't it? Poor sweet Forrest, he tries.
The fifth egg is pipped and that's the last chance for a blue chick, which would be a buff x splash or vice versa. Come on, blue! But, better it be a pullet than a particular color. Cricket looks very satisfied with her accomplishment. Pics when the last one has hatched.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How exciting. Congratulations Cricket.

 

[fluffycrow]

This thread has made me want bantam cochins! Congratulations to Cricket for being an awesome broody once again!

 

[speckledhen]

We have five now, last one still not 100% fluffy, but they're all here. Looks like 4 splashes and one buff baby. I especially want the buff to be a pullet. I want a Cricket clone, LOL. Was hoping for a blue in this batch, but no crosses, I guess. If it was going to be as mean as Princess Iris, maybe that's a good thing!