fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

This is the second wrinkled egg I have seen this week. It's on the long pointed egg.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not sure what causes that. Probably turning of the egg to be laid (pointy side comes out last), the calcium hasn't quite "hardened" and gets rubbed or pinched. Just a thought, I have no way of knowing if that's what it is...

 

[fuzzi]

Drama in the coop.

I went out after we got home from church...two eggs, yes!


While I was standing there Lydia and Abigail (both Dominiques) went into the nesting boxes. Lydia finished quickly, but Abigail kept rearranging the straw. Rahab (Sussex) went into the box and pecked Abigail until she left.

It happened half a dozen times, maybe more.

Poor Abigail then was chased around the coop. Every time Abigail went back into a box Rahab headed over to harass her again.

Rahab was also being very noisy.

For a short while Samuel stood in front of the boxes, but as soon as he left Rahab came back to harass Abigail.

Hannah (Sussex) got into the left-hand box. She sat for a few minutes while Rahab was being bossy.

After chasing Abigail out of the right-hand box (again) Rahab pecked Hannah and drove her out of the left-hand box...and then entered it herself!

Abigail snuck back into her right-hand box. She started reaching outside and pulling straw in to add to the nest.

And then Hannah and Samuel started singing a duet...

Chicken Drama...

 

[fuzzi]

Abigail kept picking up bits of straw, greens, and tossing them either over her shoulder or on her back. I'm not sure what it might mean, if anything.

 

[fuzzi]

First time...

 

[NanaK]

Chicken Drama...

I think they do these things to keep us guessing.

Thankfully things usually work out.

 

[fuzzi]

Samuel ambushed me when I went out to the coop just before dark.

I've been careful about not letting him sneak up behind me, but as I bent over to see if there were any more eggs I was slammed in the face. I stood up, and he faced me, as if ready to do it again. I threw a bottle of water over him, but even though he retreated I am going to have do some serious thinking.

It could have been worse.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh, I'm sorry about your eye!

This was a kick?

LOL Hens sure do make some noise sometimes. Mine have been quite boisterous the last few weeks.

I've seen many of my hens and pullets put straw, leaves, etc., on their back when walking around and while in nesting boxes. Perhaps it's some type of nesting behavior, but I can't say for sure. I like to watch them do that though, it's interesting.

 

[fuzzi]

Oh, I'm sorry about your eye!

This was a kick?

LOL Hens sure do make some noise sometimes. Mine have been quite boisterous the last few weeks.

I've seen many of my hens and pullets put straw, leaves, etc., on their back when walking around and while in nesting boxes. Perhaps it's some type of nesting behavior, but I can't say for sure. I like to watch them do that though, it's interesting.

I think it was a kick, there's a scratch developing under that cut. There's also a small mark and a bruised feeling along my hairline.

 

[fuzzi]

I have reread a ton of posts on here about rooster attacks.

Bottom line for me: I could handle a sneaky peck from behind, but I will not tolerate an open attack on my face.

I have eggs to hatch, hopefully with a broody.

If not, I have a breeder in Florida who has offered to send me one of her cockerels.

It's a shame, as Samuel had developed into a very good looking rooster.