Hatch Day!!

Today was supposed to be the day the eggs hatched.
I was a little less than optimistic at the chance of hatchlings, but as I walked by Luna today a little yellow head was poking out from under her wing. Judging by the dryness of its feathers and how active it was it may have hatched yesterday.

Here is mama and her new baby.

There was one point that Luna stood for a couple of seconds and I saw another chick! This one was a fresh hatchling, still quite wet. I have not seen it since. Until tomorrow I will just have to be happy with these pics.
It is hard to see in the pic but the egg tooth is right on the tip of the little chicks beak. If you click on the picture you can see it better.
This sweetie hatched from one of Luna's eggs, but she bears the markings of not being a pure White Leghorn chick, she has little black speckles on her back.
I bought a little incubator in case Luna leaves the nest before all the eggs hatch. She is sitting on the last eggs that Lady laid before she died and I would like to see if they will hatch.

Another Loss!

We have been having torrential rain the past few days so when I put the chickens up last night and only counted 12 I thought it was my mistake. Between the rain and their moving around it must have been my fault on the count. Today, sadly, I find my count was accurate. Lady is nowhere to be found.

Lady is the white chicken on the left in front of the two white Delawares. Lady was a White Leghorn and a very good egg layer!

After a thorough search of the property I extended the boundaries of my search to the outside perimeter of the property, there I found my first clues as to what had happened. There strewn along the edge of a large rain puddle were white feathers of all shapes and sizes, usually indicative of a struggle. Further searching turned up more feathers along the fence line.
I continued my investigation and found dog droppings that were not Sterling's, I know what he eats and what his droppings look like. Might sound gross, but by checking droppings occasionally I keep a heads up on the health of my animals.
In the chicken pen itself I found a large quantity of red feathers, as if one of the Rhode Island Reds had been spooked and banged themselves against the fencing.
I asked my husband to keep an eye out for a stray dog. If one enters the property I requested it be terminated with extreme prejudice!
Two good layers in one week is hard for me to deal with.

Luna is stoic!

The other day Lady decided she needed to lay an egg where Luna is sitting. I did not actually see her do it, but I walked by and there was a white egg on top of Luna. At first I was puzzled as to how one of her eggs got there, but when I picked it up to tuck it back under her I noticed there were no markings.
She left the nest a little later for a drink and a quick bite to eat. If you look at the picture you will notice that her tail feathers are quite fanned. she has only done that since she started sitting. They are fanned and she walks around scolding everyone until she gets back on the nest.While she was gone I took the opportunity to check the eggs, now there are nine. I think Lady must have laid another egg between the last time I was able to check the eggs and now.
Luna has steadfastly stayed on the nest throughout all the rain and wind we have been having. Poor thing she looked so pathetic, wet cold. I have her protected the best I could, but she chose a really odd place to lay and there isn't a lot I can do with it that wouldn't disturb her.