Will you be setting eggs this spring under a broody hen or in your incubator? Both natural and artificial incubation will get the job done, but one may be a better fit for your flock. Here is a point-by-point comparison of these two methods. Continued on Community Chickens… Continue reading
It’s been a challenging week with so many groups of chickens to care for. My mixed, year-old flock of egg layers have been plugging along faithfully. Most have just finished up a small spring molt and are looking much shinier, although to my continued chagrin, still beardless. Egg production is a bit down with Rosie … Continue reading
So far, Rosie is being a great mama! I am so relieved. She has three little Basque chicks so far, and the 4th egg was zipping when I checked on her, so it looks like 4 out of 4 for Rosie! She is being patient and more protective now, pecking me as I mess with … Continue reading
Well, two chicks out – a Speckled Sussex and an Australorp. There are also 11 more pips! Today is Day 20. I peeked under Rosie at 9:45 am and the first egg I saw was pipped. I didn’t lift her any further. She’s not acting any more strange or defensive than usual. I’m a bit … Continue reading
Yesterday was Day 18 and so I moved the eggs to my other incubator, which I am using as a hatcher. I set them in cut-down cartons, increased the humidity to above 50%, and left them to hatch. One Specked Sussex had other ideas, however. He had already pipped when I went to move the … Continue reading
As you know, I have a batch of pullet Basque Hen (EO) eggs (pullet eggs = small, laid by new pullets) due to hatch on Saturday (or Friday). Four of these were placed under my broody Welsummer Hen, Rosie, and 23 were in the incubator along with 4 Australorp eggs, 2 mixes, and 2 Speckled … Continue reading
Yesterday’s candling was quite dramatic, but it reminded me of some basics I had become lax about and forgotten. I went up to the coop around dusk to put up my chickens for the night. I had let Rosie, my brooding Welsummer, out of her dog crate for a chicken spa (bathroom, food, water, dust … Continue reading
I have been extraordinarily fortunate: A friend has given me 27 Basque Hen eggs from his young flock. They are a beautiful group of birds, and I am thrilled at the possibility of having some of their offspring. These eggs are from young pullets new to laying. For that reason, the eggs are “pullet eggs” … Continue reading
Despite my anxieties, I had a pretty good hatch. I have 8 chicks from the 15 eggs, which is just about 50%, the average for shipped eggs. The number might have been nine, but one chick pipped at the bottom of the egg and I did not find it until it was too late. Unlike … Continue reading
This morning, I woke and ran excitedly to the incubator to see what had happened overnight. Well, my pip hadn’t progressed, but one other egg had pipped. Slightly distraught, I went on to work. When I called my husband from work for an update, there were 4 pips – but still no chicks. When I … Continue reading
Scratch Cradle 