Those who might recall my chicken travails...
Yesterday morning the broody hen left the surviving hatching eggs I’d bought. I’ve rigged up a crude incubator, but have no illusions about success. The eggs got too cold for a few to several hours, about 13 days in. (”Unlucky number”.) Am trying to continue on with the “mutt” eggs in this silly little 7 egg cheapo incubator I’d picked up on eBay (in reality it barely holds 5!), but have serious doubts there too. There are clearly formed chick embryos, but I see no movement when I candle them. And it’s been 22 days for the oldest. :-(
BAH!
I tried to reintegrate the broody hen with the rest of her group & they attacked her. Tried again overnight, checked this morning - no major fights yet. Going back out to let them out, shortly.
The hatching eggs seller is local (30 min. diversion from trip to my Mom’s) and has agreed to hatch out and sell me 12 chicks in 3 weeks. At least that leaves more time to expand the larger henhouse, so the small one can be devoted to the chicks once they are a few weeks old. And, the weather will be warmer.
I also got a contact for a guy who supposedly has Buckeye chickens, but he hasn’t returned my calls. Phooey!
Fox seen on property in daytime - yikes! May stake dog out in different part of yard.
Still getting frost some nights. C’mon, man!
Agh. Let chickens out, Ms. Broody (Past Tense) was attacked again by other chickens, esp. a Bantam-Easter-Egger hybrid hen. Does she sense the other hen’s weakened condition (from brooding?) Relocated Ms. Broody PT inside fenced area for now, will try again tonight. I don’t think B-E-E ever went “upstairs” to roost with B(PT). Have not had such problems in the past - hate to sacrifice any hen to the pot, but B-E-E may have to go. B(PT) is a better layer and much tamer.
“There are clearly formed chick embryos, but I see no movement when I candle them. And it’s been 22 days for the oldest.”
If all else fails, you can fry up some Chicken McNuggets! (J/K)
*BLECH* ;)