I'm sorry! No I have not been following this post at all. I only saw it when I was tagged earlier. I just dealt with flystrike with my rooster and featherhead was following along with my post so I just thought if he needed anything that I would offer to help if I could. Sorry I didnt mean to jump into your thread!
That sounds really unsettling - hope no one was hurt
No apologies needed; in fact why don't you join us? This is a lovely thread to be part of
Its only been a few weeks since last time and she is at it again. She looked just like Bob's Mal in one of his photos - head down low, floofed out and tail spread like a turkey, standing off against any of the others who came near. And constantly doing that broody 'muttering-under-her-breath'.
I would love to!
How scary! Glad you are safe WhoDat.
I've had a rather educational morning, standing at my kitchen window, coffee in hand, watching my chooks. As I was observing, I was thinking of everyone of you, especially @Shadrach.
Charlie has gone broody, AGAIN
As we have been having a rather hot weather spell, I have opened up the front wall of the coop and removed the lid from the nesting boxes, which means we can see right inside. (This hasn't affected their laying, they are quite happy still. This morning I saw Blue and Delta go inside and they both stood there inspecting the nest boxes after having kicked Charlie out. Blue chose her nest box and began rooting about whist Delta just stood and watched, a few times she went into the nest box with Blue, before coming out again to stand watch. Once Blue was done, they both came down the ladder into the run with no fuss at all.
What I can see clear as day now, thanks to you lovely lot, that Delta has taken on rooster duties, escorting Blue to the nest, assisting her with settling in, keeping watch and escorting her back outside. There was no 'egg' song from Blue because Delta was there already to escort her. Delta also makes a very distinctive chattering type call when she has found something interesting in the grass/in the run. I have never heard what a tid-bitting rooster sounds like, but must be what she is doing. Although, she doesn't actually share whatever she has found for the others, she announces she has found something, then chows down at top speed.
As I type, Delta has not yet laid her own egg, she is ruthlessly chasing Charlie out of the coop every time she tries to get back in. I wonder whether she is wanting Charlie out so she can lay her egg in peace, or whether she is doing it because she is trying to prevent Charlie from sitting?
I'm glad you chimed in with your experiences @FlockFromPa . We are all worried for Jaffar and rooting for him and @featherhead007 .
I think that's a brilliant idea. It must be stressful to be separated from your flock.Jaffar is quite fond of my Rhode Island Red hen, So I confess, She's right here too, on the bed next to him. I am at my desk now.
No worries. We love new people here. I know there are lots of people who follow theads without commenting and I though you might be one. We would all love to know more about your flock if you would like to share.
