ajm200 Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Hi everyone. Been away from the forum for ages. Three weeks ago we lost 6/8 bantams today a fox attack. Absolutely heartbreaking as some were only a year old. Only ones left were the broody girls who were far too focused on warming an empty nest. They stress broke them of their broodiness for a few days and then one went back to sitting on the nest hissing and being mean. tRhe other was out in the run but looking a bit lost so we decided to give our broody girl a chance. We bought some eggs that were due to hatch in days and she pulled them all under her immediately. She was still in them last bedtime. Next morning just after dawn we found the other chicken dead and she was off the nest. We can only assume something scared them maybe the fox was close. The eggs were stone cold so my daughter and I tucked them into our bras to warm them while we set up the incubator. We candled them as we moved them Into the incubator and they all had veins and some moved a bit. This morning two popped. So excited and pleased that they weren’t lost too. Will supply chick pics if they make it out of the shell. Incubator is at 37.5c with humidity between 65 and 72. It’s a cheap incubator so fluctuates a bit but the secondary thermometers agree on levels. What an eventful first intro into hatching 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Sounds exciting, but I hope you have resolved your fox problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 6/14/2022 at 2:36 PM, Beantree said: Sounds exciting, but I hope you have resolved your fox problem? We have secure converted greenhouse. The kids felt sorry for the chickens after a long winter and spring under cover and let them out without mentioning it to anyone. Hubby and I had no reason to think the chickens would be out as they were in and secure when we did their food and water earlier that day. By the time the kids remembered letting them out it was too late. Prior to the avian flu lockdown the chickens were only allowed out if we were out there and put away before we came in. These will only be allowed on the lawn in a run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 Sad about your little chooks but how great that you have managed to get some chicks to hatch. I bet they are really sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 6/14/2022 at 3:39 PM, Luvachicken said: Sad about your little chooks but how great that you have managed to get some chicks to hatch. I bet they are really sweet. First one hatches an hour ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 So dinky 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted June 18, 2022 Share Posted June 18, 2022 How exciting - I love the bit about tucking them into your bras......I suppose I thought that was an urban myth! Your children must have felt so bad about letting them out but who could have forseen the result? Looking forward to updates and pics 🥰 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted June 19, 2022 Author Share Posted June 19, 2022 4 eggs still not hatched. Will buy day olds on Tuesday or Wednesday as the eggs will be a week late Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 These two are very cute though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 They're both adorable - what breed are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 On 6/14/2022 at 2:42 PM, ajm200 said: By the time the kids remembered letting them out it was too late. That’s a tough lesson for your children 🙁 Lovely little chicks though - have you got them some more friends now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Awww, I love them. They are very sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
