I just moved Agnes to a box in the shed (quieter and private quarters that she can stay in when the chicks hatch.
Here is a mystery….
There were only 10 eggs. I put 12 under her last week. I am SURE of that. Where did 2 go?
I cleaned out the whole hen house and even raked around the ground below trying to find any telltale signs of those eggs. Nothing. I dug around the edges for holes showing rodent paths. Nothing. I shook out the straw. Nothing. There is a foul smell in the henhouse which could come from rotten egg innards, but unless the chickens ate whatever parts of the egg remained, I can’t figure how there would be no trace besides the bad smell.
Because I can’t think of any better ideas, I am espousing what I call “The Templeton Theory” which is that a rat came in and rolled the eggs away in the night. It seems unlikely actually, but it is all I can come up with. I also liked that scene in the book (and the cartoon!) where he goes rolling the egg off under the pig trough and all the animals are completely disgusted. Let’s hope this doesn’t end in sorrow-orrow-orrow (anyone get that joke?).
Meanwhile, I need to pick up my Chicken Health Handbook at the library. Problems are getting more advanced for this novice chicken keeper. What to do? What to do? I might hire this sentry to keep watch over the girls this next week. She looks trustworthy.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
Yup, yup, yup!
Hmmm…. I also like your Templeton theory. I think a sentry is a good idea. You might give her an umbrella though and some warmer clothing! What is the going rate for a Sentry these days?
June 3rd, 2009
Ingrid,
I found this book in our home library very plainly called “Poultry Production”. You can guess who it belonged to. It’s got all the cutting edge technology about raising poultry up until it’s print date of Nov. 1953. It also covers common diseases. It’s in pristine shape and you are welcome to it. We don’t have need for it here, as it’s illegal to raise live chickens in Beaverton.
June 3rd, 2009
I want that book! It is a classic!
June 3rd, 2009
Man, Poultry Production. Maybe I should get a copy of that for when I can’t sleep. I dunno about Inez as a sentry. She looks a bit stressed out just sitting there with those two chickens. I would hate to see her have to fight off a rat.
June 3rd, 2009
holy shit that’s a beautiful baby! truly an astounding hairline. don’t know much about chickens, but i once saw a novice magician make an egg disappear. maybe he’s hiding out in no-po rockin the hi-jinks.
June 4th, 2009
I’m still trying to figure out if it’s permissible to raise DEAD chickens in Beaverton. . . Rick will have to let me know. Do you have possums or raccoons on Skidmore? With the gully so close it is entirely possible that one of them came over for a feast.
June 4th, 2009
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