buff orpington mamas

[kathysmile]

Orpingtons are by far very broody birds. I only have 4 and I can not get them to stop brooding. All year long I am chasing them off the nest. winter through summer. I just love the squawking and the feather raising as they they try to tell me who's boss and who is going to get the egg. It scared me in the beginning but now I know better and they sometimes even try and hide it from me by putting it back in there body a little. Has this ever happened to you. I was amazed the first time this happened. I picked up the hen and saw an egg under her. The she sat back down on it then got up and the egg was gone. I looked every where but it was gone. Then she walked over to get some food and the egg fell to the grown while she was eating. So strange.

 

[chooks4life]

Sometimes they tuck eggs between their wings and chests and carry them that way, but it's not deliberate.

As for Orpingtons being good mothers, there isn't any one breed you can guarantee all females will mother or not mother from; my Buff Orps never mothered. It's down to family lines more than breed.

Best wishes.

 

[kathysmile]

I always thought they were developing a new hide and seek game with me