all moms are fools

Yes, all moms are fools but the moms around these parts are turkeys too. 

I spent half of the night worrying about cats and carnage based on a memory of when our cat ate Alexis's hamster. The other half of the night I wrestled with a dream about parking tickets and gym coaches and trying to go to Lagoon. That's not really sleep. 

Turns out as I should know by now are cats, minus Jack Cat, are too lazy to eat moving food. Jack Cat, she was banished from the house and despite her youth and meanness she is the only animal (chickens included) who does not know how to break into the house uninvited. 

First chick is a train wreck waiting to happen. He/she is alert and attention seeking from people. Beach against warning and experience has named her Pad Foot. Second chick is fine. Third chick is spraddle which means she isn't able to stand. 

We have taped the legs with a band aid but now it is a waiting game as to if that will work or not. Even Beach voiced gratefulness that this was not the chick she has fallen in love with. 

Fourth chick didn't- well didn't do anything more than crack its shell and then nothing. At the time we where having problems regulating the heat in the box. 

The temperature rises when the others hatch. Our temperature gauge is so hard to fine tune and offset the changing temps of the hatched chicks. Back in the incubator box & currently hatching: Fifth chick. Who is awful late. Hopefully it isn't hatching alone there are more eggs in there.

It may not look like it but these pics of Beach & Ginger Dog were taken over a 2 hour span this morning. Those two moms are pretty intent on watching their babies. In fact Beach isn't taking kindly the reminder that these are dinner birds. Like I said train wreck ahead. If I'm right Pad Foot will haunt the farm beyond harvest time. If Beach gets her way we just might have another yard turkey like Herk.