Rain, Chicks and Egg Eaters

Sigh, it's raining.  Not that I mind the rain, but in some ways I prefer either rain or snow, but not both.  Both equals ice, which makes life interesting.  Okay, not interesting.  How about dangerous?

Barnevelder

Naturally after I bought the Welsummer and Buff Orpington chicks, I get an email from a hatchery saying they have (gasp!) the elusive Barnevelders.  I lost my mind and ordered 15 chicks.  They warned me that they will come with "packing peanuts," that is, a name for unwanted cockerels.  Basically, I figure by the time I get both groups of birds, I will have 50 chicks.  OMG.

The good news is that the roosters will go to freezer camp.  I've got two that have to go and probably two ducks who aren't laying eggs.  (No eggs and no good for breeding?  Well, their days are pretty much numbered).

The calm pen now has an egg eater.  I discovered this because I saw two eggs in a nest box before I left for town and found no eggs, but did find the remains of three shells.  So, I have to look for the culprit and separate them for a few days.  Then, I will have to try to put them back and then if that doesn't work, off to freezer camp.  My worry is if they all start doing it.  If they do, they pretty much are gone.  Which is very annoying because I like these chickens.

Sigh.