Updates 10-29-10

Salem and Roswell were born on the morning of 10-27-10 (Hen: Dover, Cock: 'Frisco). Both are pink and healthy and doing well. Crops are always full.

Sydney and Fairbanks started self feeding on 10-29-10 at 19 days old.

The loft is being "moved" on Saturday in preparation for the new addition.

Update 10-25-10

Saturday, October 23, 2010, 7:30AM - Juneau (103) returned home. He's been missing since October 6th.

Saturday, October 23, 1:00PM - Picked up two white homers from Tad. Cock and hen named Dallas and Savannah, respectively.

Monday, October 25, 2010, 8:15AM - 15 day old babies doing great. One egg was heard pipping at 5:30PM on Sunday evening. No cracks in shell this morning and no more sounds of pipping. Check again this evening .

Update 10-21-10

The last few days have been horrible in Sunny SoCal. It's rained every morning, keeping the birds trapped in the loft. The floor is staying relatively dry - some dampness seems to be seeping up from the floor. Not bad enough, though, for dressing.

Jack and Chile are not constantly with the babies right now. I think they are probably looking for a new nest site. They still feed them and the babies are growing well. VERY well.

Dover and Frisco's eggs are due to hatch in the next 3-5 days. I can only hope they are as good as parents as Jack and Chile.

Sydney and Fairbanks 10-189-10

Babies are growing and putting on a huge amount of weight. They are very active and alert. They were both banded on Sunday but Sydney's legs are very small and the band continues to slip off. Will check again this evening.

Day Three - Sydney and Fairbanks

The babies are growing fast. It has been chilly in the mornings so Jack is keeping them completely covered. Both crops are full and feeding seems to be going well - both parents involved. Chile is assuming daytime responsibilities.

Judging from some of the loose feces in the loft, other hens may be preparing to lay. No nestbuilding seen yet.

Topeka (95) still in hot pursuit of Finny (32).

Day two

Babies feeding and doing well.

Updates and Reminders

Dover and Frisco laid first egg on Friday, October 8. Second egg seen roughly 48 hours later. Birds began incubating immediately with first egg. Eggs should be candled for viability on October 15th.

Sydney and Fairbanks to receive PMV and Sal Bac vac in 4-8 weeks. Must be banded on October 16.

Fairbanks and Sydney

Both eggs have successfully hatched. Jack and Chile are feeding the babies. Excellent!

Welcome Fairbanks!

Jack's first egg was seen pipping Sunday morning at about 9:15. Progress was slow. The chick hatched some time over night and was first seen at 6:05AM this morning.

The second egg is still slowly hatching. I could hear the chick pecking away at the shell with its egg tooth.

Welcome Fairbanks!

Routing

The birds routed on their own this morning. They were out of view for at least 20 minutes. The day was very overcast with a slight drizzle, some blue sky showing. 6:45AM release, 7:20+ return.

One bird missing when I left for work - Juneau (103). Not visible.

Routing 10/3/10

Five birds routed this morning while the rest came back to the loft only minutes after release. The five routers are: 92, 103, 95, 31 and 91.

Day Four of Doxy-T. Some of the quick returns were still panting.

Bath given to all including Marty.

Frisco and Dover are starting to exchange nesting materials on TOP of the nextboxes. I supplied them with a bowl and will construct something this weekend that will encourage their bonding.

Fertile/Non-Fertile Eggs

Jackie-O's eggs were candled last night (the 6th day of incubation). One egg showed nothing. The second egg showed definite embryo growth and blood supply.

I will allow her to sit on the unfertile egg for a few more days (just in case) before swapping to a dummy egg.

Since all of the birds in the loft are named after locations, this bird will be called Fairbanks.