MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

You are amazing. I would trust you my chickens with no reservations.

Thanks Bob. I do my best and like most people sometimes it's not enough.

 

[MaryJanet]

Ok, it's the next morning and on reflection I'm satisfied with the actions I took last night (except for cracking the egg, but perhaps I've saved Mary from cracking it?)

The investigation and clean up was over in about 10 minutes. I don't think the eggs cooled much in that time. It was a chilly night, but usually they're cooling during Mary's self-care which is a much longer timeframe if in warmer conditions. And she was sitting on them while I got on with cleaning the nest out. So I think they were exposed to the night air for 5 minutes. I don't think that would have done much harm.

This morning I'll be stocking up on spare straw and I also want to get proper shade sails because I doubt the old bed sheets will stand up to a strong wind. They're starting to tear a little already.

If I'm home from that errand early enough, I'll be in time for Mary's self-care session, which will give me a much better look at the eggs and an opportunity to evaluate the nest and maybe add more straw to it.

On second thoughts, I'm going to defer the shade sails untill tomorrow. Having a look at the eggs and nest is more important. I can fetch straw in 15 minutes, so I'll do that after breakfast.

Sorry for the minutiae everyone! I'm a little depleted. More tea is required.

 

[MaryJanet]

By the way, Mary was extremely easy to work with throughout the whole process. So obliging. Her only complaint was heard when I briefly held her upside down to get a look at her belly (she wouldn't stand on her feet). She is such a wonderful hen.

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks Bob. I do my best and like most people sometimes it's not enough.

As you said, that is true for all of us. We all also set an impossible standard for ourselves.

 

[BY Bob]

Ok, it's the next morning and on reflection I'm satisfied with the actions I took last night (except for cracking the egg, but perhaps I've saved Mary from cracking it?)

The investigation and clean up was over in about 10 minutes. I don't think the eggs cooled much in that time. It was a chilly night, but usually they're cooling during Mary's self-care which is a much longer timeframe if in warmer conditions. And she was sitting on them while I got on with cleaning the nest out. So I think they were exposed to the night air for 5 minutes. I don't think that would have done much harm.

This morning I'll be stocking up on spare straw and I also want to get proper shade sails because I doubt the old bed sheets will stand up to a strong wind. They're starting to tear a little already.

If I'm home from that errand early enough, I'll be in time for Mary's self-care session, which will give me a much better look at the eggs and an opportunity to evaluate the nest and maybe add more straw to it.

On second thoughts, I'm going to defer the shade sails untill tomorrow. Having a look at the eggs and nest is more important. I can fetch straw in 15 minutes, so I'll do that after breakfast.

Sorry for the minutiae everyone! I'm a little depleted. More tea is required.

You're doing great. I love the minutiae.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've got a cuppa, a book to read, and a view of the run so I can spring into action when I see Mary's up.

She and I are going to share that apple.

 

[BY Bob]

I found the tea pot. It was on the shelf in my library.

 

[MaryJanet]

I found the tea pot. It was on the shelf in my library.

View attachment 3968253View attachment 3968254

It looks like it may have come from Korea.

 

[BY Bob]

It looks like it may have come from Korea.

I got it at an estate sale where there was a Picasso on the wall for sale. This place was amazing. All I could afford was a cat tea pot.

 

[MaryJanet]

She's up!

The eggs look perfectly fine to me. I don't think they need cleaning at all. Not even with a dry cloth.

However I thought the straw was too thin. Mary had compressed it to 2cm which didn't seem to offer much insulation.

So I bulked it up.

With Mary off the nest, I also took the opportunity to measure up the nest box compartment so its slatted floor can be covered up. 28x60cm to accommodate the uprights in the corners. There's also a 7cm barrier between nest compartment and roosting compartment. I'm thinking about what to use in the nest compartment. Lightweight, non-toxic, 7cm thick. I'll pack around the sides with sand. Maybe a piece of foam insulation cut to size and wrapped in two sealed pillowcases?

Last night I didn't notice Mary has some straw stuck to one spur, which opens the possibility she broke the first egg.

Anyway here she is fresh from the nest.