MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

I'm worried about her body clock. I don't want her to feel out of whack when she sees herself as having a job to do.

And I'm worried about her eating more than she needs, which'd not be good with her liver.

I wouldn't worry. She will burn lots of calories once the chicks hatch showing them how to be chickens.

 

[Grammy60]

Good morning/evening MJ and everyone

 

[BY Bob]

Awwww, It's one of the things I loved about broodies. Even if they got off the nest on their own I used to love watching their interactions with the rest of their tribe and seeing who would call for their rooster when they were up and about.

I will say that it was a great excuse to handle her which is something I never do. However it was a great responsibility and while I taught JD to do it, I could not trust anyone else with her.

 

[MaryJanet]

She's on it. The second feeding is what some hens miss. It's very important; that and the dust bath.

Have you observed a difference between a broody and a setting hen Shad? I've been surprised at the difference in Peggy's attitude broody without eggs, which was really a mild case of the leave-me-alones, and with eggs, when she turned into a snappy gorgon. Is she unusual in this behavioural change?

 

[RoyalChick]

Have you observed a difference between a broody and a setting hen Shad? I've been surprised at the difference in Peggy's attitude broody without eggs, which was really a mild case of the leave-me-alones, and with eggs, when she turned into a snappy gorgon. Is she unusual in this behavioural change?

She has something valuable to protect now!

 

[MaryJanet]

She has something valuable to protect now!

She seems to think so! I'm wondering what other behavioural changes are triggered when a broody has eggs to sit on.

 

[Ribh]

She seems to think so! I'm wondering what other behavioural changes are triggered when a broody has eggs to sit on.

Watching with interest...

 

[MaryJanet]

Watching with interest...

I'm thinking it might have something to do with her decision to leave a long gap between her feeding/hygiene sessions. (Assuming I've been observing her adequately and there is a longer gap than usual - which seems unlikely).

 

[MaryJanet]

Awwww, It's one of the things I loved about broodies. Even if they got off the nest on their own I used to love watching their interactions with the rest of their tribe and seeing who would call for their rooster when they were up and about.

The flock dynamics have been fascinating. The other three are incredibly peaceful without Peggy spreading discontent every waking hour. It's like they're all on holiday.

I'm thinking Peggy will be a scratching biting nightmare towards everyone else when the eggs hatch. She took a mouthful of feathers out of Ivy yesterday.

 

[MaryJanet]

Oooo!! Newsflash. Look who got herself up again!

8.30 am.

Two days in a row with no help.