MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I still have not heard from Rocky's family. Meanwhile Peggy is now a week in. I don't relish the thought of her sitting for four weeks, so I think the ship has sailed this time around.

However, it hasn't been a waste of time because it gave me a lot of opportunity to think deeply about what I'm doing and, more importantly, where I'm doing it.

Even though the hens prefer brooding in the little coop, I don't think it can provide sufficient humidity. The climate in Adelaide is very dry and it's even drier where I live, which is on sand which is very dessicating. If a hen consented to sit on the ground instead of the little coop, I'd still doubt the nest's ability to provide enough humidity.

Although, come to think of it, the neighbour's hen hatched a load of chicks under a bush in their backyard. She was deep under many layers of shrubs though. They thought a fox had got her but she eventually brought her chicks out.

The long-term answer is to get plantings established to the point where hens make their own nests. The short-term answer is a pair of pullets.

Again, I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone. It was not my intention.

 

[Ribh]

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I still have not heard from Rocky's family. Meanwhile Peggy is now a week in. I don't relish the thought of her sitting for four weeks, so I think the ship has sailed this time around.

However, it hasn't been a waste of time because it gave me a lot of opportunity to think deeply about what I'm doing and, more importantly, where I'm doing it.

Even though the hens prefer brooding in the little coop, I don't think it can provide sufficient humidity. The climate in Adelaide is very dry and it's even drier where I live, which is on sand which is very dessicating. If a hen consented to sit on the ground instead of the little coop, I'd still doubt the nest's ability to provide enough humidity.

Although, come to think of it, the neighbour's hen hatched a load of chicks under a bush in their backyard. She was deep under many layers of shrubs though. They thought a fox had got her but she eventually brought her chicks out.

The long-term answer is to get plantings established to the point where hens make their own nests. The short-term answer is a pair of pullets.

Again, I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone. It was not my intention.

Well, chicks would have been exciting but I think you have made the right call & chances are you will have another broody before summer's over. Bear that in mind while you consider options.

 

[MaryJanet]

Well, chicks would have been exciting but I think you have made the right call & chances are you will have another broody before summer's over. Bear that in mind while you consider options.

Thank you for understanding Friend

 

[Shadrach]

The rooster is called Rocky and he's black. He has three hen friends. Two of them are red and one is white.

It won't matter what colour they are, you'll be entranced and start biting your nails.

 

[Shadrach]

By the way, have you ever given a hen some eggs to hatch? If so, do you have any tips?

I've always let a hen sit on her own eggs so no.

 

[Shadrach]

I honestly feel that for simple tasks such as this, pen and paper are optimal and technology is unnecessarily complex.

It's keeping track of all those scraps of paper! I tried to copy the info to a digital dairy but it became very patchy.

 

[MaryJanet]

It's keeping track of all those scraps of paper! I tried to copy the info to a digital dairy but it became very patchy.

I had very little uptake of my own spreadsheet. It fizzled after a week or so.

 

[MaryJanet]

It won't matter what colour they are, you'll be entranced and start biting your nails.

I don't really care about the colours but I thought other people would ask me about it, so I jumped in with that detail.

Rocky called out this morning. I'm glad I know his name now

It was also good to tell them I like hearing him. They live in fear of a noise complaint and were relieved when I said they won't be hearing a complaint from me.

 

[MaryJanet]

It's keeping track of all those scraps of paper! I tried to copy the info to a digital dairy but it became very patchy.

It's not too bad with the notepad on the fridge. I keep it at eye level to remind me to jot down the daily tally.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I still have not heard from Rocky's family. Meanwhile Peggy is now a week in. I don't relish the thought of her sitting for four weeks, so I think the ship has sailed this time around.

However, it hasn't been a waste of time because it gave me a lot of opportunity to think deeply about what I'm doing and, more importantly, where I'm doing it.

Even though the hens prefer brooding in the little coop, I don't think it can provide sufficient humidity. The climate in Adelaide is very dry and it's even drier where I live, which is on sand which is very dessicating. If a hen consented to sit on the ground instead of the little coop, I'd still doubt the nest's ability to provide enough humidity.

Although, come to think of it, the neighbour's hen hatched a load of chicks under a bush in their backyard. She was deep under many layers of shrubs though. They thought a fox had got her but she eventually brought her chicks out.

The long-term answer is to get plantings established to the point where hens make their own nests. The short-term answer is a pair of pullets.

Again, I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone. It was not my intention.

What? No chicks?! How very dare you!

I'm kidding! I'm kidding!

I'm all for planting lots of shade in a garden, especially in layers. It will make a cool micro climate for you and the hens. Speaking of which, how is the Jacaranda growing? Are the girls exposing the root system or is it rocketing up from all the loose earth and chook manure?