BROODIES!!
Hi my name is SuperChemicalGirl and I've just been outmaneuvered by two fresh broodies.
I've got broody banty (the spawn of satan) right now on 3 eggs that are due to hatch Monday.
When I just went out to the coop tonight to lock everyone up and do the nightly headcount I was missing 2 chickens... GLW and Runty the Phoenix. Both found in separate nesting boxes. Easy enough, take them out, put them on roost. They sit on the roost for a minute then jump down and head back to the nesting boxes. They see each other then have to grandstand with hackles up and a lot of growling before they decide who gets what nesting box. Repeat cycle 5 times before giving up. And yes, it's mostly dark. So you have to watch them fumble around in the dark trying to get in the nesting boxes. Heaven forbid those golf balls get cold.
Funny thing is Runty is at the bottom of the pecking order, was even below the chicks when they were about 7 weeks old (1 week in the coop). She's so timid. It's strange to watch her be aggressive.
How come they don't realize the Inn is (over) full?! GLW even hatched chicks out in December/January (mostly sub-zero)!! I know that crazy hen is serious!