Ali James' Garden Chickens

[BY Bob]

I’m going to have to catch up a bit here, but have to weigh in on the two soft shelled eggs in one day possibility. Yes, it can and does happen... though I assume quite infrequently, and I may have an extreme case. I’ve had one of my CX (now 5 months old) who has a slipped tendon, crated for the last week or so awaiting slaughter. I move her outside and re-crate her on the grass whenever the weather allows and she has laid two soft shelled eggs at once, multiple times, after I’ve moved her onto the grass.

So 100% it is two eggs, due to circumstances she cannot be hiding one or me mistaking it from a previous day. I carefully pick her up, set her down on the grass, re-crate her, and when I come back an hour or so later for feeding/watering again there are two shell-less eggs in her bottomless crate. Somehow despite her mobility issue and size she neve manages to break them either. (I’m sad to have her processed, but her quality of life isn’t what she deserves)

That is really interesting Kris. Thanks for mentioning that. I have never heard of that before. Learn something new every day. I love this place!

 

[BY Bob]

Hey @Ali James, how's things going? I mentioned you in my article. Did you see it?

 

[Ali James]

Morning/afternoon/evening all. Sorry for being so quiet, I haven't checked in for ages!

I have taken on extra hours at work, which I do from home, and I am struggling to get into a routine of when I do the work, so trying to get myself sorted.
I also confess to having discovered the 'sporcle' website and I am hooked on endless quizzes! I have almost memorised all the states of America and am working on all the countries of the world.
As well as getting stuck into some great new books on my kindle....

My girls are all doing really well; I can't believe I have had them for well over a month now. Each of them has such a distinct character and personality. I tell everyone how lovely they are and what great pets they make.

Will get some more pictures this afternoon and spam you all!

 

[Ali James]

Hey @Ali James, how's things going? I mentioned you in my article. Did you see it?

Lol! Thanks Bob - I read (and reviewed) your article with a smile!

 

[drumstick diva]

still feel sorry for that poor hen with laying issues

 

[BY Bob]

Lol! Thanks Bob - I read (and reviewed) your article with a smile!

You were very kind. Thank you so much.

 

[Ali James]

Finally ... Friday afternoon!

I'm so happy with my girls; I never expected to get so attached to them. They are all gorgeous and so, so curious. Every time the back door opens they all rush up to the fence bawking at me from across the garden. They follow me around the run and cluster round my feet chattering away.

They are very interested in my nail polish too, pecking at my fingertips. There was a very funny moment the other day when Echo got a bit too keen and I pointed my finger at her with a firm "no" and she tried to eat my finger! Not just a peck, but actually trying to get my first finger joint down her throat! I guess I did sort of offer it to her...

 

[Ali James]

In other news, I am certain that Charlie has gone broody on me. For the last three/four days she is refusing to leave the nest box, and she is not laying herself. She is sitting on the other girls eggs and chucking the plastic dummy eggs out of the nest boxes.

She is the most skittish of them all and will not accept any strokes or contact at all (apart from when she is sleepy at night time, and even then she makes a bit of a fuss. However, whilst she is in the nest box, it is as if she is in some kind of trance, where we can stroke her all over and she will not budge. I am concerned she is not eating or drinking, so I have been removing her from the nest box and putting her on the ground, whereupon the trance is broken and she runs off at top speed to poop, eat and drink. Within five minutes though, she is straight back into the nest box.

Should I be doing anything? Shut them out of the coop after they have all laid their eggs in the morning? Let her get on with it?

 

[Ali James]

Oh, and because it's Friday....

 

[LozzyR]

View attachment 1937971 View attachment 1937973 View attachment 1937971 View attachment 1937973In other news, I am certain that Charlie has gone broody on me. For the last three/four days she is refusing to leave the nest box, and she is not laying herself. She is sitting on the other girls eggs and chucking the plastic dummy eggs out of the nest boxes.

She is the most skittish of them all and will not accept any strokes or contact at all (apart from when she is sleepy at night time, and even then she makes a bit of a fuss. However, whilst she is in the nest box, it is as if she is in some kind of trance, where we can stroke her all over and she will not budge. I am concerned she is not eating or drinking, so I have been removing her from the nest box and putting her on the ground, whereupon the trance is broken and she runs off at top speed to poop, eat and drink. Within five minutes though, she is straight back into the nest box.

Should I be doing anything? Shut them out of the coop after they have all laid their eggs in the morning? Let her get on with it?

Yep, sounds like she’s broody, especially if you can’t normally touch her and she’s letting you pat her whilst she’s on the nest. If you don’t want to stick a couple of fertilised eggs under her, head over to @BY Bob ’s thread where there’s been some chat about breaking broodys, my Charlie included. I’m going to pop her in the cage of shame today, not looking forward to it though.