- Sep 21, 2014
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Hi everyone,
I'm very new to this chicken business. I didn't choose to have a chicken, she chose me. About 4 yrs ago this pretty small (bantam?) chicken flew into my backyard.
I live on a small bush property just out of Auckland NZ.
She seemed very happy pecking around with the visiting ducks until they showed her the deck and how to get into the house to eat the cat bits.
The ducks had to be discouraged as they thought they were in Hitchcock's The Birds and started to take over.
However, I became very fond of the little chicken - now known as Elizabeth - and didn't mind her waddling in and about the house. We organised a cosy 'house' for her on the deck which she ignored for several months and then she started to lay eggs in it. I never did find her eggs whilst she thought she was a duck.
Then one day she decided my bed was a much better nesting place and started laying her eggs there. I really didn't mind as the whole procedure was very clean.
So, an egg a day until she became broody.
About 10 weeks later my bed is still her preferred spot. I now sleep with a chicken and two cats (they get on very well - I don't have a partner which is just as well as he'd probably be the first to go).
Morning and night I lift her out to feed and do her business and make sure she spends at least 30 minutes out there. But she is SO determined to get back in that even a hint of an open door and she accelerates, speed scuttles and dives onto my bed and settles amidst flying feathers and satisfied clucks!
As I write this she's outside the deck doors clucking madly to be let back in - just had a go at flying through the glass.
Do I need to do anything for her well being, or is this scenario ok?
I mean, I loved her little eggs but that's not the point really.
I love my chook Elizabeth
Regards to all,
Erin
I'm very new to this chicken business. I didn't choose to have a chicken, she chose me. About 4 yrs ago this pretty small (bantam?) chicken flew into my backyard.
I live on a small bush property just out of Auckland NZ.
She seemed very happy pecking around with the visiting ducks until they showed her the deck and how to get into the house to eat the cat bits.
The ducks had to be discouraged as they thought they were in Hitchcock's The Birds and started to take over.
However, I became very fond of the little chicken - now known as Elizabeth - and didn't mind her waddling in and about the house. We organised a cosy 'house' for her on the deck which she ignored for several months and then she started to lay eggs in it. I never did find her eggs whilst she thought she was a duck.
Then one day she decided my bed was a much better nesting place and started laying her eggs there. I really didn't mind as the whole procedure was very clean.
So, an egg a day until she became broody.
About 10 weeks later my bed is still her preferred spot. I now sleep with a chicken and two cats (they get on very well - I don't have a partner which is just as well as he'd probably be the first to go).
Morning and night I lift her out to feed and do her business and make sure she spends at least 30 minutes out there. But she is SO determined to get back in that even a hint of an open door and she accelerates, speed scuttles and dives onto my bed and settles amidst flying feathers and satisfied clucks!
As I write this she's outside the deck doors clucking madly to be let back in - just had a go at flying through the glass.
Do I need to do anything for her well being, or is this scenario ok?
I mean, I loved her little eggs but that's not the point really.
I love my chook Elizabeth
Regards to all,
Erin
and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like Elizabeth found the right backyard to fly into!
