MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

I'm not entirely sure what that lot have in them. They've hatched some odd ones. Old English Game for sure but it looks like there may have been some Polish genes in there somewhere.
They were here when I got here. They're a pretty tough bunch. Blue Spot, responsible for most you see there, made it to 11 or 12. We think she was two years old when she arrived.

Fascinating! I really love seeing and hearing about your chickens @Shadrach - where did Blue Spot 'arrive' from? Did she just show up one day and settle in?

 

[Shadrach]

Fascinating! I really love seeing and hearing about your chickens @Shadrach - where did Blue Spot 'arrive' from? Did she just show up one day and settle in?

She and five others were a gift. I know, don't even go there.
Basically from what I can gather from my niece, a person they knew no longer wanted them and just sort of turned up with them one day. They had a miserable life here for a while. It's a complete horror story.

 

[MaryJanet]

Good evening folks

It just felt like everything took longer than it should... And then a bit of crazy towards the end of the day, but it was a good crazy.

I don't like that feeling when things take too long. Very frustrating. For me, it links up with a bad night's sleep or a too full tummy. I'm glad the day ended on a positive note

 

[MaryJanet]

Good evening everyone



You're doing a great job and they love you, sometimes things happen and we don't know why .

Thanks Grammy. I'm very lucky that Mark's surgery is not too far away. In this old house I've got a lot of other things I need to spend money on, but the animals take precedence.

 

[MaryJanet]

Here's Hoping.

On both counts

 

[MaryJanet]

Man I loved that. I truly wish I had been able to see Elton John at his glamorous peak in the 70s. That had to be some show.

It was quite transgressive shen you think about the social norms back then. Nowadays it's not a big deal if men dress up. I'm thinking of Kurt Cobain and the way he'd wear a dress like it was nothing.

 

[MaryJanet]

You are doing amazingly well. They are lucky hens.

Thanks Bob, I try my best.

 

[MaryJanet]

The need for a side gate has escalated way out of all proportion. I bolstered the fence of the chicken yard, but it's nothing to Janet now. She's letting herself out of the yard whenever. If it weren't for Mary, I wouldn't even know about it - she calls me to come and see what's happening.

I may even have to just put up a ply barrier until I can get a proper gate.

Eta I'm proud of Janet for taking up responsibility for her own foraging but she doesn't appreciate the risk of dogs running off the leash.

 

[MaryJanet]

@Shadrach have you noticed whether hens preparing to brood take frequent but short duration dust baths?

 

[Shadrach]

@Shadrach have you noticed whether hens preparing to brood take frequent but short duration dust baths?

It's not something I've noticed MJ. What I see is extra eating up to five days before they sit. Most tend to become slightly less involved in the group/tribe as sitting date gets closer. Two and three days before most show broody behaviour towards other chickens as in fluffing up a clucking. I say most here because there are the odd few that have seemed fine as usual one day and sat the next. Perhaps I've missed the signs.
Donk for example, one gets at least a weeks warning and she wonders how I find her so quickly.
Nolia on the other hand you need to watch like a hawk. It's the extra eating that gives her away.