I got another look at the nest today. 9 eggs. Splash insisted Jess vacate, and laid another egg, bringing it up to 10. This was AFTER the nest drama. Thing laid an egg in the smallest nest box (bottom left) this morning. Splash was in there, but not entirely pleased about it. Nellie came in wanting to lay and set to bokking. Tried the nest above Splash, who was having none of that....repeatedly....Nellie protested some more, then checked out the other end....no, wanted the one above Splash. I finally went back (45min+ of this) to the garage and got another mini bale to add more straw to the unacceptable boxes. Splash freaked out before I got started, tried to fly through the window, then pushed out through the people door (after running into it). Added the last of the straw to the box Nellie wanted and left the lower one alone (but stole the egg). Nellie settled in, started nest building, laid her egg (in something like 5 min), then continued nest building. Meanwhile Splash comes back in, checks things out a bit (avoiding the box she'd been in prior), then starts working on evicting Jessica, complete with climbing in on top of her. That's when I got the egg count. In both nests, Splash was tucking egg(s) under herself. An hour later, I see Splash AND Jess out with the rest of the flock. Go check nest. 10 eggs, warmer than air temp, but not what I would call warm. Nellie's nest is vacant, but the egg is hidden under some of the straw. 2 more hours, Jess is back on the nest (Don't know when she went back)
Options:
1. Remove all eggs from nest, messing it up, maybe breaking one in the process, discouraging all of them from laying there.
2. let it go another week to when I KNOW she was broody, see if anything hatches in spite of the additions and let her vacate in her own time.
3. let it go to that week mark and swap live chicks in for some of the eggs (removing all the eggs at same time): caveat of how well can she protect chicks when she gets pushed off the eggs so another can get added?
4. Something I haven't thought of?
Squawking hens
Egged on from outside, by....
Goats are quite lovable - they are my next additions (well, maybe geese?, not sure on that). Just remember if you do go that route: They are FRIENDLY, SMART, CURIOUS, and decent climbers/jumpers! (i.e. strong, tall fencing, you CAN'T just get one!, and always want to check out what is 'over there', and 'taste test' most things...especially when they get out!) I agree, I think you will love them......(Just like you might your teenage sons...love them but shake you head at their antics)
