Figured I'd share my Pheonix Flock stories here.
Now, I call them feral because all I do is feed and water them when it's hot oitside. I don't handle them unless I need to and I don't lock them up at night anywhere. They are completely free range and all in all take care of themselves and almost always hatch out and raise their own chicks. This is the first time I brought in hens from an outside source and only because I needed new blood.
Today we had the third hen go broody, so now my male only has one hen for company until either she goes broody too or I introduce the two I bough for new blood.
In order of setting time:
Nest A: My roan colored girl, with 5 eggs
Nest B: My bold colored girl with 3 eggs
Nest C: My old girl with 2 eggs
Not as many eggs as normal, but they're learning if they nest where they are now, they have less chance losing eggs to move and magpies if they start brooding as soon as they can.
Now, I call them feral because all I do is feed and water them when it's hot oitside. I don't handle them unless I need to and I don't lock them up at night anywhere. They are completely free range and all in all take care of themselves and almost always hatch out and raise their own chicks. This is the first time I brought in hens from an outside source and only because I needed new blood.
Today we had the third hen go broody, so now my male only has one hen for company until either she goes broody too or I introduce the two I bough for new blood.
In order of setting time:
Nest A: My roan colored girl, with 5 eggs
Nest B: My bold colored girl with 3 eggs
Nest C: My old girl with 2 eggs
Not as many eggs as normal, but they're learning if they nest where they are now, they have less chance losing eggs to move and magpies if they start brooding as soon as they can.
