Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[goldenfingers]

I get home from work today and Ginger is having a meltdown. Screaming the egg song/escort call at the top of her lungs, standing out by some bushes. I look around and can't see anybody else. Hmm, that's odd. I go change out of my work clothes and head out to the backyard with some meal worms. Everybody comes running for the treats. While they eat I clean out their house, grab the solitary egg, and extract dear, recently departed monsieur mouse (another story for another time, perhaps) from the mousetrap and deposit him into the outside trash bin. Then I go sit on the grass to hang out with the girls for a while. Mary Ann and Ginger come over and flop down beside me. No sign of Mrs. Howell. Later both chickens head over to the bushes and have a collective meltdown. That's when I hear Mrs. Howell clucking an unfamiliar cluck, and I find her hidden in the bushes.

Can you even see her in there? Anyway, she's throwing leaves over her back like she's trying to make a nest. Oh boy, is this what I think it is? I thought these sex links didn't go broody.

As a reminder, Mrs. Howell is the one that has not laid a "good" egg for around a year. From her we just get weird surprises. Here's a photo of one of the surprises.

I have zero experience in these matters. There are obviously no eggs out under the bush. My plan is to see if she heads back into the coop tonight or tries to stay out. If she heads back, then I assume that means she's not earnest and I'll just wait to see if it passes. Am I even remotely correct about this?

 

[featherhead007]

No answer. I have never experienced that. Very interesting.

 

[featherhead007]

No BLU. Even Rocks-Ann my hen, has stopped laying, and begs for my attention now. She wants to be with me all day, and pecks my leg to pick her up. I usually do. Her and BLU were very close together, after Rocket had to be put down. This is a tragedy for my entire feathered family.

 

[Cynthia12]

Chicken tax. Porch chickens this morning View attachment 2637901

A lot of good eggs on the way.

 

[Cynthia12]

A little close up of my keeper. I need to think of a name for her. @RebeccaBoyd what do you think of the baby? I was told Marans...

View attachment 2637198

View attachment 2637200

View attachment 2637201

Or.... Australorp? Here's my babies.

 

[featherhead007]

A lot of good eggs on the way.

One way of looking at it.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Or.... Australorp? Here's my babies. View attachment 2638833

My girl does have feathered legs, do those as well? If they do, that's a possibility.

 

[Cynthia12]

Here's a couple of mug shots for ya... I'm sure hoping that one on the stump is a girl. Sooo friendly! Cones running up to me right away.

Can you see the head and beak? .

 

[Cynthia12]

My girl does have feathered legs, do those as well? If they do, that's a possibility.

No! So, probably is a Marans.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I get home from work today and Ginger is having a meltdown. Screaming the egg song/escort call at the top of her lungs, standing out by some bushes. I look around and can't see anybody else. Hmm, that's odd. I go change out of my work clothes and head out to the backyard with some meal worms. Everybody comes running for the treats. While they eat I clean out their house, grab the solitary egg, and extract dear, recently departed monsieur mouse (another story for another time, perhaps) from the mousetrap and deposit him into the outside trash bin. Then I go sit on the grass to hang out with the girls for a while. Mary Ann and Ginger come over and flop down beside me. No sign of Mrs. Howell. Later both chickens head over to the bushes and have a collective meltdown. That's when I hear Mrs. Howell clucking an unfamiliar cluck, and I find her hidden in the bushes.

View attachment 2638747

Can you even see her in there? Anyway, she's throwing leaves over her back like she's trying to make a nest. Oh boy, is this what I think it is? I thought these sex links didn't go broody.

As a reminder, Mrs. Howell is the one that has not laid a "good" egg for around a year. From her we just get weird surprises. Here's a photo of one of the surprises.

View attachment 2638758

I have zero experience in these matters. There are obviously no eggs out under the bush. My plan is to see if she heads back into the coop tonight or tries to stay out. If she heads back, then I assume that means she's not earnest and I'll just wait to see if it passes. Am I even remotely correct about this?

I don't know the answer to this either, sorry. I like your plan though, to see what transpires. I would bring her into the coop if she doesn't go by herself in any case, for her safety. Then see if she behaves this way again tomorrow.