Well, so far, my little Physco, the scovy hen is making a liar out of me! She is keeping her new brood safely in the coop, and away from the adult birds and the pond. I set her up a small area with food and water, and she isn't even trying to move them. If she continues to stay put this time, I will let her raise them, makes it so much easier to comingle into the adult flock later. Much healthier for the ducklings and Physco too.
@ellymayRans DD has offered to take any peas, male or female that don't get offers of homes. Same for us. We both have the room at our properties that they can be free to range and enjoy just being birds. We both have the available space for quarantining also. I have 2 sheds empty right now, like 8x10 or larger, and they would be able to be out of cages and just confined to buildings. DD has a 2 car garage she is willing to house any needed in as well. Poor things, its time for them to have a better life.
All my spring pullets are laying!! Getting lots of new egg colors, one OE egg is almost as round as a golf ball, LOL! Nice big egg, haven't determined who she is yet. Am looking forward to eggs all winter finally, may slow a little in January, and that's fine. Every year I argue with myself about artificial lighting and decide not to. I guess I want to keep my hens longer so I just don't do it. I do plan on adding new pullets in the spring again, some of my girls will be 5 years or older by then. My hens that are past laying have earned the right to stay. One EE hen hasn't laid in over a year, and she was older when she came here. I have no problem with just letting her live her life out, naturally. Maybe its not frugal..but its humane. I really appreciate my fresh eggs from my girls. I do understand how some folks will process older hens, and need to keep their flocks young. We are not at that point, will cross that bridge eventually am sure.
