We've installed a nestbox camera, and it's one of the best investments I ever made. It is SO entertaining watching the girls!
I had read about hens getting in the box with each other, but never actually seen this occurring - now I see it frequently. I knew the girls bawked loudly and insistently in the morning, and I just thought it was because they are spoiled, and were unhappy about not being out free-ranging. Now I know that this loud bawking is made by the hens impatiently waiting to 'go'. I've seen that my Leghorns will happily share a nestbox with one of the other Leghorns - but let one of the slightly younger batch of pullets get in with a Leghorn and woe betide! I've seen them stalking back and forth on the ledge outside the boxes, looking inside and trying to decide which box is best, or actually getting in and out of the boxes like Goldilocks trying to find the right bed. I've seen my sweetest, gentlest EE fluff up her feathers and do this nasty, velociraptor squawk when she's on the nest and and any other chicken comes anywhere near her!
And best of all, now I can see them occasionally even when I'm working all day.
Here's the link if you want to watch them - we're in Mountain time and it's most active from dawn to late morning.
http://bawkinonthebench.hobby-site.com/
I had read about hens getting in the box with each other, but never actually seen this occurring - now I see it frequently. I knew the girls bawked loudly and insistently in the morning, and I just thought it was because they are spoiled, and were unhappy about not being out free-ranging. Now I know that this loud bawking is made by the hens impatiently waiting to 'go'. I've seen that my Leghorns will happily share a nestbox with one of the other Leghorns - but let one of the slightly younger batch of pullets get in with a Leghorn and woe betide! I've seen them stalking back and forth on the ledge outside the boxes, looking inside and trying to decide which box is best, or actually getting in and out of the boxes like Goldilocks trying to find the right bed. I've seen my sweetest, gentlest EE fluff up her feathers and do this nasty, velociraptor squawk when she's on the nest and and any other chicken comes anywhere near her!
And best of all, now I can see them occasionally even when I'm working all day.
Here's the link if you want to watch them - we're in Mountain time and it's most active from dawn to late morning.
http://bawkinonthebench.hobby-site.com/
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