MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

All of my first generation of chickens - Elizabeth, then Maggie, and finally DIana all retreated into a quiet dark nest box as they prepared to die. I provided food and water as needed but didn't force the issue. Maggie in particular would say thank you when I brought her something and talked to her.
I find it very relatable.
I imagine from an evolutionary perspective it makes sense to separate in order not to attract danger to the rest of the group.

I'll be more aware of this behaviour now.

I expect Janet will go next. So when she takes to a quiet comfy corner, I'll put food and water within reach and keep company.

 

[LozzyR]

Suppose she went broody because she knew she was dying.
Suppose production hens would go broody if they lived long enough in a suitable environment.
Suppose the often stated, "production hens have had broodiness bred out of them" is nonsense and it's more as I have suggested and that's it's just suppressed and if they lived long enough in the right environment they would eventually go broody.

Lucy would have a little sit on an egg for about half an hour if she happened across it, once she had ceased laying. I thought it was endearing.

 

[ManueB]

Suppose she went broody because she knew she was dying.
Suppose production hens would go broody if they lived long enough in a suitable environment.
Suppose the often stated, "production hens have had broodiness bred out of them" is nonsense and it's more as I have suggested and that's it's just suppressed and if they lived long enough in the right environment they would eventually go broody.

My experience has been that my ex-batts did not go broody, even when surrounded by broody hens and chicks around them, and two roosters.
Maybe they didn't feel the environment was right. But then that would mean they perceive it differently as my other hens.
Do you have, or have heard, experiences the other way round ?

 

[ManueB]

I'll be more aware of this behaviour now.

I expect Janet will go next. So when she takes to a quiet comfy corner, I'll put food and water within reach and keep company.

 

[Shadrach]

All of my first generation of chickens - Elizabeth, then Maggie, and finally DIana all retreated into a quiet dark nest box as they prepared to die. I provided food and water as needed but didn't force the issue. Maggie in particular would say thank you when I brought her something and talked to her.
I find it very relatable.
I imagine from an evolutionary perspective it makes sense to separate in order not to attract danger to the rest of the group.

Yet the last two Ex Battery hen deaths I wrote about on my thread (Ella and Lima) died outside surrounded by the other chickens they lived with.
I don't think I've ever had a hen retreat to the coop or nest box to die.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yet the last two Ex Battery hen deaths I wrote about on my thread (Ella and Lima) died outside surrounded by the other chickens they lived with.
I don't think I've ever had a hen retreat to the coop or nest box to die.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Shadrach]

My experience has been that my ex-batts did not go broody, even when surrounded by broody hens and chicks around them, and two roosters.
Maybe they didn't feel the environment was right. But then that would mean they perceive it differently as my other hens.
Do you have, or have heard, experiences the other way round ?

Yes, there have been reports of Red Sex Links going broody here on BYC.

 

[BY Bob]

That one works for me now. Love how some jump but others do the whoe walk.

Youth vs experience

 

[BY Bob]

Right now.

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Thanks for including me @LozzyR

 

[BY Bob]

I guess it's not unexpected but Joyce died overnight.

Here she is with Katie on Saturday morning.

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I sat with her body on my lap for five minutes while her friends said their goodbyes.

Here she is (left) with her bff Christa.

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Then I gently put her in a shroud (old pillow case).

Here she is having just shown Christa all about the treadle feeder.

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For now, her remains are in the freezer. I won't have time to bury her until Saturday.

Coming home from the vet.

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Poor Joyce. Destined from hatch to live a short life.

At least she had an opportunity to study the phenomenon of the front loading washing machine.

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Bye Joycey. Thank you for being you.

I'm very sorry for your and Christa's loss.