MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

An update on Mary: she continues to brood without eggs. She has established her own routine of getting up roughly every 48 hours for food, water and poop. She's not too snappy. When Janet gifts her with an egg, Mary doesn't bite me while I remove it. Her broody poops are making a huge mess of her butt fluff. I may have to give her a haircut once she's back to normal.

 

[LozzyR]

Actually, I was referring to

It wasn't even Wednesday here at the time!
But good on you both with your early rising to seize the day!

Here is my contribution.

Alice was interested in my tea infuserView attachment 2857137

She gave it a peck, knocking it back onto my mug..
View attachment 2857138

...and lost interest.
View attachment 2857139

I love your tea infuser!

 

[Shadrach]

I deepened the straw considerably and left her to it. My reasoning was that

• She might be ok with deeper cushioning
• If she were sore next time she got up, I'd put a stop to her brooding
• But otherwise my interference should be minimal
• While she broods, she doesn't lay

She's up again this morning, after 48 hours of sitting on the deeper straw.

She's moving freely this time.

Not sure if you can tell from the photos, but there are two clear indentations in the straw from where her feet and legs were pushing down.

Wide view.

View attachment 2854695

Close up.

View attachment 2854697

It's much easier to see in person.

So far she's pooped, foraged, had two really lengthy sessions at the water jar, and eaten a generous handful of dry pellets.

And here she is, slaking her thirst.

View attachment 2854703

View attachment 2854704

You can see she's been at the bowl of pellets I put down for her.

View attachment 2854706

As long as she's not doing any harm to herself or the other hens, I can't see a good reason to interfere with her brooding.

If she goes on as long as 3 weeks, or if any harm arises, I'll intervene.

Unless more experienced folks think I should intervene sooner.

Nope, if hse not having trouble walking and her feet can get a grip in the nest, which from the pictures it seems they can, then letting her sit is okay and as you mention, iit will switch her egg laying cycle off and give her a rest.
I used to do exactly this but usually only for a few days.

 

[MaryJanet]

Nope, if hse not having trouble walking and her feet can get a grip in the nest, which from the pictures it seems they can, then letting her sit is okay and as you mention, iit will switch her egg laying cycle off and give her a rest.
I used to do exactly this but usually only for a few days.

Ok great. After all, it is a completely normal thing for a hen to do.

 

[Shadrach]

Ivy is making the most of cocktail hour!

View attachment 2855989

View attachment 2855990


Hmmmm now that I'm a chickeneer I find the term cocktail a little disturbing

I see Ivy at least has come to terms with the water feeder.

 

[MaryJanet]

I see Ivy at least has come to terms with the water feeder.

They all have now. It's no longer a cause for concern.

 

[MaryJanet]

Looks like Mary's on the brood train.

View attachment 2850891

Don't mind me, I'm just tracking Mary's brooding. Today is day 8.

 

[MaryJanet]

An update on Mary: she continues to brood without eggs. She has established her own routine of getting up roughly every 48 hours for food, water and poop. She's not too snappy. When Janet gifts her with an egg, Mary doesn't bite me while I remove it. Her broody poops are making a huge mess of her butt fluff. I may have to give her a haircut once she's back to normal.

Of course... A mere hour or two after posting this update she got up after ~ 23 hours of sitting.

She ate, shook herself, drank, and Bob, this time she bathed for about 45 minutes, before drinking more and eating more.

 

[BY Bob]

Of course... A mere hour or two after posting this update she got up after ~ 23 hours of sitting.

She ate, shook herself, drank, and Bob, this time she bathed for about 45 minutes, before drinking more and eating more.

Excellent!

Sydney and Phyllis both bathed every time they got off the nest. First they pooped, then they ate and drank, then bathe, and finally eat and drink again before getting back on the nest. For whatever reason their bath time was very important to them.

 

[MaryJanet]

Excellent!

Sydney and Phyllis both bathed every time they got off the nest. First they pooped, then they ate and drank, then bathe, and finally eat and drink again before getting back on the nest. For whatever reason their bath time was very important to them.

Ivy made a point of it too.