Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

STINK BOMBS

June unwilling to give up.
The eggs removed while June still unwilling to leave the nest. So sad
Sad day on the Estate.  The eggs were not hatching.  Some had exploded and new ones were being laid in the nest.  I have learned that when one hen abandons a nest, if I can't get them in an incubator right away (our thermometer is broken), they will not hatch under a second broody hen who moves in a few days later.  All appeared to have been viable for a time.  The smell was just too much so I had to clear out the nest,  June still will not leave.  I am so very sad for her.  I broke the eggs open and discovered that two might have hatched in a few more days.  The rest were black liquid ready to explode. Never fear oh ye who guessed, as soon as I get another broody hen I will get some more eggs going and will let your guesses stand for my first batch of spring eggs.

About the second kitten, he/she is named Catness.  That was the guess of Cube and our granddaughter Hope selected the name.  Catness is the main character in the HUNGER GAMES and I should have known Hope would be biased.  Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.  Would you like to see where Mama David spends her time to get away from her demanding kitten Catness?  Here she is trying to disguise herself as a chicken:
Guesses that will stand for our next 
clutch of eggs. 
Lynn and Riot Kitty - 8
Jeanie - 11 
Munir and LL Cool Joe - 12
Seriously Though and Cube - 13
Bonnie - 15
Snaggle Tooth - 10 
Loraine Nielsen - 16
Sonny - 9 
Sparkling Red - 14


BREAKING NEWS: (no pun intended) 
My Araucauna hens hide their eggs from me.  They don't sit on them they just hide them.  Guess that is why they are called Easter Egg Chickens.  Not only are their eggs green, they make me go on an egg hunt:)  Anyway, I found a cache today and have placed them with a few other eggs under June Hen.  She accepted them with great excitement and scooped them safely under her wings.  Mark your calendar for May 15th as we await another hatching.  There are another 17 eggs and your guess will stand.  I just hope June doesn't suddenly realize she's been at this too long and give up.


I have since learned that I could have "candled" the eggs and found those two that were okay without having to have broken them. I have been at this 12 years and still learn something new every day. Wish I could go back and do over. Meanwhile June is protecting her new clutch of eggs with a joyful smile.

26 comments:

  1. Oh no, how sad for June and you. That must have been heartbreaking.

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  2. Sorry to hear the sad news, my friend. I do like the last photo of the "fowl kitty." :)

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  3. Gosh that is sad - sorry about that. sandie

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  4. I'm sorry about the unhatching of the eggs, Annie.

    Catness is a neat name. :)

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  5. You must have been devastated. Poor June.
    How is Catness so patiently sitting with the hens? Usually they do not get along. I mean are domesticated kitten so cool? wow !
    We had chickens in my parents home but my Mom used to make sure no cats went in the coop.
    We had cats in our home here in New York, but no chicks.

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  6. I'm so sorry - that must be difficult to handle. Poor June.

    I love the picture of your kitty with the chickens. How funny!

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  7. aww poor lil eggies and June..

    life goes on and she'll get another chance I'm sure.

    Catness is an adorable choice.

    love ya

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  8. Sorry about the little eggs. Catness was my favorite, too. I did a new post today on my blog.

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  9. I did not know how fragile incubation was. I mean I knew...but didn't know. I am not makig sense, and I am not drinking anything. I think it is this low cal diet I am on.

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  10. That's very sad, I'm sorry :(

    I love the pic of Catness pretending to be a chicken!

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  11. Awww- poor eggs! Nothing stinks as bad as a rotten egg, either! Well, at least you came up with a plan B.
    I hope Mama June has a better round 2.
    You also!

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  12. What's that smell?
    I was about to go crack two eggs into a hot skillet but now I have to eat cereal for breakfast.

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  13. LL Cool Joe -- It was. These were special eggs obtained from neighbors and would have enhanced the quality of our flock. A couple were from a prize winning hen. Hopefully we can get some more and give June a second chance.

    Ileana -- Fowl Kitty! Love it.

    Chatty Crone -- Did you ever think you would be sad about a chicken story?

    Talon -- We will try again soon. Meanwhile June has moved to a nest with one egg in it. Bless her heart. How long can she keep this up? She needs a break after over 20 days on the nest.

    Munir -- We were very disappointed. Yes it is funny to have the cat on the roost. I almost counted her as a chicken when I put the birds in the hen house at night.

    Lynn -- I had great plans for this batch of spring chicks. Maybe we can get some more special eggs from our neighbors. Hope to get a photo of Catness to post soon. Right now Mama David doesn't want me near her remaining kitten.

    Sonny -- June is finally out of that nest but on another. She moved to one with a single egg in it. I might just add a few more today.

    Loraine Nielsen -- Cousin, your blog is wonderful, especially when you are tracing our Great Grandmother:) Wow, you went back a long ways this time.

    Tabor -- I understood you and I wasn't drinking either. lol No this was my first experience with a hen abandoning a nest like Lucky did. If only June had hopped right on them, they might have survived but I'm learning the time they were left unattended was crucial.

    Riot Kitty -- Thank you:( That was Mama David pretending to be a chicken. No pictures yet of Catness but I hope to get one soon.

    Snaggle Tooth -- Yes we all are hopeful for round two.

    Cliff -- Sorry for ruining your breakfast. Just think about me, I had to crack them to check how far they had gone. I'll be off eggs for a while.

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  14. Sad to hear about the eggs. The cycle of life can turn on a dime... brutal one second and beautiful the next.

    I can't wait until Mama David lets you get near enough to photograph her little Catness. Your granddaughter has good taste in cat names... if I do say so myself ;-)

    BTW that photo of Mama D. in the hen house is precious... like so much of what you share with us city people who would dearly love to live the country life.




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  15. Cube -- I hope the dime is turning again. My Araucauna hens hide their eggs from me. They don't sit on them they just hide them. Guess that is why they are called Easter Egg Chickens. Not only are their eggs green, they make me go on an egg hunt:) Anyway, I found a cache today and have placed them with a few other eggs under June Hen. She accepted them with great excitement and scooped them safely under her wings. Mark your calendar for May 15th as we await another hatching. There are another 17 eggs and your guess will stand. I just hope June doesn't suddenly realize she's been at this too long and give up. Annie

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  16. That is sad and yucky. Poor old June. She tried so hard.

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  17. "Fowl Kitty" would make a beautiful painting. If only I could paint animals, that would be a great reference photo.

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  18. Never had chickens or cats so I would just be at a loss.

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  19. Oh dear! I'm so sorry...
    Exploding eggs? Really? That's amazing!

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  20. Sparkling Red -- You said it..."sad and yucky".

    Ileana -- I cannot believe that you can't paint animals. You can do anything!

    Changes in the wind -- Well tell me that you at least have/had a dog.

    Kay -- Rotten eggs will explode and the smell is horrible.

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  21. My dear commenting friends -- I have since learned that I could have "candled" the eggs and found those two that were okay without having to have broken them. I have been at this 12 years and still learn something new every day. Wish I could go back and do over. Meanwhile June is protecting her new clutch of eggs with a joyful smile.

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  22. Thanks...but I think a markering of this photo would be perfect! I would buy it from you, too. Let me know if you would ever become inspired to do it.

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  23. Poor June. She's really working at becoming a mama hen. I hope the new batch of Easter eggs hatch for her.

    Catness is a great name for David's baby.

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  24. Ileana -- Not doing many markerings these days. Someday maybe. I am still doing a few digital ones for the JKPP.

    Pat MacKenzie -- Catness is a good name and I'm hoping she gets to wear it. Haven't seen her since she was named. Right now David has the kitten in hiding. So far June is being loyal to her new clutch of eggs.

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  25. I am so sad to hear about the exploding eggs :(

    Kitty just blend in huh?

    Sending some cheers to you Annie...sorry been off visiting blogsphere lately. I'm stil here for you :D

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  26. I think I'd trade in those sneaky Araucauna hens, but then again, I'm a city girl who doesn't know the details.

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