Such a lovely day & all the hens were enjoying a bit of a chat in the sun.
They are laying very well at the moment & we have lots of spare eggs.
Three good things:
1. I have been decorating the landing, easy to do as the ceilings are quite low.
2. Contrary to reports McVities new recipe chocolate digestive are as good as usual!
3. Harry has had his leaky sunroof repaired again!!!
@happypat I won't ask for your thoughts on giving broody Betty a couple of fertilised eggs then!! I don't want to have to buy more hardware but if they can all muck in with what we have already....!!
Aren't they fascinatingly beautiful and individual!
It's not till you know someone with hens that you give it any thought....
otherwise it's just about 6 eggs in a box!
@judithg She would definitely hatch them Judith but after they had hatched would be very vulnerable in the same cabin as the other hens, until they got bigger that is, after that they would be OK.
Apparently he says to stop a broody hen you have to keep chucking it off the nest & trying to keep its breast bone cool works...not sure how you do that! Some hens are a pain in the neck & always broody..perhaps you could shut them out for a bit during the day?
Hmmm - I was thinking that might be the issue - I don't think I can persuade Nigel to have a whole extra set up! Shame because she was broody for about 4 months last summer and I feel a bit sorry for her! I chuck her out every morning but she goes back so closing it up will be worth a try. She's lovely but I won't be getting another Sussex - the crossbreeds have never been broody & they're a lot easier!
This makes me wonder what chickens chat about in the sun. They might have been discussing whether the tree provided enough privacy from photographers, when that woman came along. She with the flashy teeth that checks for eggs. You can't even sit in the sun without being on 365 the next day. That was the second discussion topic. :)
@judithg We had a hen that was always broody & in the end we gave her to a relation ....young Harry....& they use her for hatching eggs. she has had loads of babies!!!!!. Some hens just seem to be prone to that...like some women i suppose!
@sabresun LOL - they were actually all conspiring to lay even more eggs tomorrow to see how long she with the flashy teeth takes before begging folk on 365 to take them off her hands!!
My Mum as the same problem...I'm hoping I'll get a dozen from her in the next couple of days!
@sparkle We do love a good saga Juliette...I hope that has not become my nickname..I will know who to blame LOL ! If any 365er was within range we would be giving our eggs away. We do have neighbours that buy our eggs but still get bogged down with them sometimes. I don't think she with the flashing teeth would give @sabresun any though!!!!
We had broody bantams for years. We ended up giving the the non-foxproof stables where they would hatch clutch after clutch on top of the hay bales, always perfectly safely. They then had the whole yard to run in while the other chooks had to be much more orderly and get up and go to bed on our timetable. This is a really cute shot too.
I see it's not entirely 'ladies only'. Looks like the rooster is hanging around to catch the latest gossip. Love this wonderful scene, Pat. It must be so nice to have fresh eggs so close at hand...and this delightful flock wandering around the grounds.
It's not till you know someone with hens that you give it any thought....
otherwise it's just about 6 eggs in a box!
Apparently he says to stop a broody hen you have to keep chucking it off the nest & trying to keep its breast bone cool works...not sure how you do that! Some hens are a pain in the neck & always broody..perhaps you could shut them out for a bit during the day?
My Mum as the same problem...I'm hoping I'll get a dozen from her in the next couple of days!