MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Last night the hens were again not enclosed in the run at roosting time.

The young hens went straight to the new roost and the older hens ate with Janet in the big coop. However, they didn't need shepherding. Instead, they responded to being called over.

In the moment, I decided to give the older hens another week to adjust to their new roost before adding Christa to the mix. I'll get up earlier this week and let her out before she gets upset. It'll be worth it for the extra time to establish the new roost in the minds of the old hens as the place to be when the light fades.

 

[Shadrach]

She is such a pretty hen. The waterer matches perfectly her black sheen.
I believe you explained before and I forgot, where does this waterer come from and what is it exactly?

It would be wonderful if it would work out so soon.
In fact maybe it's the right time to do it now she is feeling more fragile and before she gets used to roosting alone ?

It's usually very quiet here in the mornings, but today hunting season officially opens. Our next to nearest neighbours own the team's kennel and dogs so for a few months it will be far less quiet on Sundays, Saturdays and Wednesday .

I detested the hunting season in Catalonia. Lots of idiots running around in the woods letting off firearms at anything that moved.

 

[MaryJanet]

Tonight I didn't even have to call the hens. They all came to the new roost in their own time.

Mary was last. She'd spent a lot of time eating with Janet before deciding it was time to turn in.

 

[MaryJanet]

Mary has an eye injury this morning. I assume Peggy pecked her in the eye overnight. Mary was very frightened of Peggy this morning.

Janet and Mary are enclosed in the run today, so neither of them can be pecked. They never peck each other.

It's been an eventful morning. Christa was excessively aggressive towards Edie, who was already squatting. So I guess Christa's grieving is over and she's reverting to her preferred lifestyle: violence.

 

[MaryJanet]

30 minutes later and Mary's eye is swollen shut.

It must've been recently inflicted on her when I first noticed it.

That means it was unquestionably caused by one of her roost mates. The evidence that it's an injury from Peggy is mounting.

 

[LozzyR]

30 minutes later and Mary's eye is swollen shut.

It must've been recently inflicted on her when I first noticed it.

That means it was unquestionably caused by one of her roost mates. The evidence that it's an injury from Peggy is mounting.

I hope Mary’s eye is better soon.

 

[LozzyR]

One of my girls laid a soft-shelled egg. It wasn’t in the nest but on the ground. Snowy is nearly two and Angel is one. Can young hens lay a soft-shelled when there is no underlying problem?

 

[MaryJanet]

Poor darling

Her good eye.

I'll try and get some pain relief into her.

 

[MaryJanet]

I hope Mary’s eye is better soon.

It's not looking good.

 

[MaryJanet]

One of my girls laid a soft-shelled egg. It wasn’t in the nest but on the ground. Snowy is nearly two and Angel is one. Can young hens lay a soft-shelled when there is no underlying problem?

Yes. I believe so.