It's animal hospital here folks!

[Nicos]

I think it's down to lack of experience on the mum's side( and mine).
It's their first clutch each- and I'd sort of let them get on with things.
I have 3 nest boxes for laying and 4 hens, and an area 2ft/6ft underneath where they can lay or whatever.
All 13 eggs were laid over 2 1/2 weeks and equally distributed between them according to dates.
I think that even 3 days apart is proving difficult for the new mums to decide whether to take the young chick out and teach them how to feed- or continue sitting- but the chicks should have been fine.( I'd left food and water for them)

But why that happened yesterday is crazy...both mums were 10" away- and it had 4 wings to tuck itself under!!!

I think I need to get brooding boxes sorted really- just not had the time to find the scrap wood with all the building work we've had going on!

All mums are separate now...so lets see what today will bring!

Oh yes- and purple footed chick is still pecking at it's feet!

[frias]

Most people move to France for a less stressful life! Fingers crossed all the babies will be OK.

[Nicos]

Most people move to France for a less stressful life!

Tell me about it!!!!

What with the foxes and chicks......

All fine this morning!( for now!!!!)

[Nicos]

Latest chick dead from the cold for sure this time

Pity

[Flummery]

Ahh. Norty step for its Mum. Oh no. Then the others will suffer.)

What a shame.

[MaureenHall]

Oh dear that's such a shame Nicos, you did do the best you could though xxxxx

[lynda66]

awwwww thats sad, huggggssss definitely think if possible you should set up some kind of lamp, a bulb will be fine, over a cardboard box with plenty of bedding that they can get to easily ..... or you could bring em indoors

[Nicos]

Problem is Lynda..there are 4 nests....and 4 mums who should be caring for the babes.If I bring them indoors away from their mums then that defeats the whole thing.

I think your way with the incubator might have been a worry at the time- but at least you're more in control.
Maybe I'm too keen for it all to succeed???

..and thanks for the hugs...I'm feeling strangely weeepy at the mo!

[lynda66]

awwwww extra hugs then xxxxx

i guess it's just the way of nature, with an incubator you control everything, with a mummy you let nature take it's course, and nature can be cruel, but it's there to make sure the strongest survive.... not that it's much consolation.

[CoraxAurata]

Sorry about the little chook (((((((((((((((Nicos))))))))))))))

[HayleyB]

Aaaww, only just found this post, so sad, sorry nicos, sounds like your momma hens are needing a good talking to. big hugs ((((((((((((((()))))))))))))

[Nicos]

Aaaww, only just found this post, so sad, sorry nicos, sounds like your momma hens are needing a good talking to. big hugs ((((((((((((((()))))))))))))

...and you've heard todays news?
....one squashed night-old chick under mum!...must have got trapped between the eggs.

[HayleyB]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo, I'm so sorry, how horrible.......

[frias]

Oh no. So sorry to hear this.(((((((((( Hugs)))))))))

[Nicos]

OK...so.....

I'm just letting you know this cos it's worth a try folks....


Today I went to check on the chooks- free ranging with their babes- and I couldn't find the youngest one

Hunted high and low - and mum was happily getting on with free ranging by herself.
Betty had taken her two into a nesting box..and in fact they were all indoors including the males.
....conclusion...babe taken by a buzzard?????

so having checked every nook and cranny we came to that conclusion.

So - forever watchful- on leaving the area - I did my final scan..and spotted the little thing on its side absolutely frozzed...... legs stuck out out behind and neck arched.Clearly dead.
Just about thinking of sending it to the great decheterie (tip) in the sky , I looked at the one eye which was only ever so slightly open.
Still black- not that dark misty grey of the dead,,,,,so - thought I'd try and do what I did with the other babes...

3/4 hr later- it was chirping and although was having leg, wing and neck spasms looked like it had survived, but had brain damage. 1/2 hr later- it was tucked up with mum in the nesting box chirping away.
2 hrs later...tucking into it's supper!!!!

So folks...if you are ever in that situation...
- feet under warm running water for a few secs....
then on top of radiator on a flannel...

- rub , rub...and rub for 10 mins or more- turning side to side ( taking care the neck doesn't flop)

- Keep going until it chirps....
......it'll open it's eyes about now..and keep rubbing briskly...
- put it onto its tummy and making sure it's feet and toes are properly positioned..bounce it up and down on its legs to help pump the blood.

- Then as it becomes more lively continue rubbing through the towel.
Eventually you'll know it's made it cos it'll chirp differently- and try and tuck nder your hand.
- another few mins and it'll be ready to have a well earned snooze under mum's wing!

oh phew...country life is never dull!!!!