Shellybabe, the last (6th) chick hatched with a funny crook in it's neck. It's not eating much and seems sick. It's under a heat lamp in my bathroom with water and room to run around. I'm thinking it's going to either die peacefully or be a runt that I keep as my favorite pet. Poor little thing. There is no way to give it to mommy hen and the others. My hen is a great mother. And she knows how to count. When she was distracted I scooped up one baby and a few moments later she started counting, noticed one was missing and went nuts until I put the little one back down. I find that freaking amazing. Meanwhile, they are putting up with a zillion teenaged boys on a skate ramp only feet away from the henhouse. Hopefully chickens don't need peace and quiet.

One of my broodies last hatches needed help. I think it was due to the heat that the shells were dried out and some of the chicks had a problem getting out. Once they pipped I very carefully pulled small pieces of shell away from their heads so they could get their heads out of the shell. You need to be careful and stop when you see blood. Check the eggs often and help them pull back some of the inside membrane if it is dried out. I would leave them with the broodies and keep an eye on them and help them some. Good Luck!

You have a Sparrow Spooker, so maybe a House Wren? They are a tiny brown bird with a long sharp bill and they prefer nesting in or near woodlands/brush. They will pierce and remove bluebird eggs. I agree, if it was a predator it would probably want them all and/or disturb the nest Wouldn't be surprised if that's what did it, they slowly disappear one by one. Just take note that wrens are protected and native, unlike House Sparrows. Follow the sialis link for more: ~Tim~ Here is a link that might be useful: House Wrens

or the blasting heat...... Miss my fresh KY wonder......um yum yum and fresh yellow squash and zukes.... still got some mustard greens going in my two raised beds... and those were from the bolting ones that dropped., seeds Yummm Yum... Nothing like your own greens... I would have planted more if I could find my open packets of kales, collards, mustard greens. seeds...Hecks its been so unseasonably warm they would have did just fine in my "potato bins" If Hubby ever gets the time or energy. (Unfortunately I bought some feather girls and they take so much time,,,,,) May get a greenhouse.. got plenty of windows to do it... Just need the time...and energy even bought the larger outdoor unit " Hardy"to heat a greenhouse. but Hubby cant do it all Unfortunately he planted close to the house so smoke comes in some ... I know he does so much already. Just a wishing