I guess I am really rather persistent, but I really do want to see a mama hen with little chicks following after her! Last night after dark I had put a hen with brooding tendencies on to the eggs after curtaining off the little nest. This morning a different chicken was doing her little part in that nest and the would/should be mother was off doing her own thing somewhere else. So I let them go for the day then retaped the curtain over the arched doorway to the nest that for some odd reason the hens didn't care to use. I warmed the (icy cold) eggs in a pail of warm water, which I don't recommend,and gently laid them into the nest. I collected a different bird, who had coming strolling out from who knows where with two chicks late last summer!! and introduced her to the nest, AFTER putting the light off. While I waited she was making soft little clucking noises and appeared to be moving the eggs around with her feet. I won't stay awake all night, though, wondering if her brooding urge will kick in once again or not, but I sure hope so! Oh, by the way I brought a couple eggs in from the house to replenish the favorite nest, so the others will still know its o.k. to use it and not think they have to bother "Mama" if she is still trying!.
