New Brahma Group: Blue Partridge x Partridge, Plus Dark

[speckledhen]

Bonnie, Bailey and B.J. are all laying now. My little Belgian D'Anver hen, Aimee, is also laying after a year away. She usually goes broody when she lays and at least I could give her two Brahma eggs. She probably couldn't handle more than that, LOL. I'd rather her not hatch D'Anver eggs. The first one did not appear to be fertile anyway. Makes me wonder if Aubrey is losing fertility at 7 years old. I think Spike doesn't breed Aimee as much as Aubrey does and Aubrey has really tapered off his activity at his age.

 

[speckledhen]

I got four Brahma eggs this a.m. instead of three, so I know that Bash's daughter, Cora, is laying again, saw her in the nest. But, Bonnie, whose egg I thought was one of the four today, is now in a nest. Either there are five of the six laying, not just four, or Bonnie is going broody for the first time this year. Wouldn't doubt that, considering that she and Brandy each went broody four times last year. I have a dozen Brahma eggs collected now and two folks were wanting chicks this spring so if one goes over the edge, I guess I can let her have some.

 

[speckledhen]

All are laying and Cora is acting like she's thinking about going broody. Nothing from Brandy or Bonnie so far this year.

And today when I ran them back inside, I could not find Cora anywhere! I kept counting and recounting the girls, only five in there. She was nowhere outside, either, so I went to the back of the barn to see if she was nosing around in the storage area. This is where I found her. I had put that pet carrier bottom in a pen to see if she was broody the other day and she laid an egg in it, but I had to remove it from the pen to put a mama with chicks in that pen so I just sat it up on top of the feed cans. Silly hen. The D'Anvers kept wondering who that strange girl was looking over their wall, LOL.

 

[kitkat5505]

Every time you post pictures of Bash I think what a magnificent bird he is, so handsome.

 

[speckledhen]

Every time you post pictures of Bash I think what a magnificent bird he is, so handsome.

Thanks, Kara. He is quite regal in person, more than in photos. And sweet as can be. He give me so much less trouble than even Atlas or Hector, though both are very good boys as well. But, Bash is almost cuddly, not a requirement for a rooster, certainly, but it sure makes him special to me.

 

[speckledhen]

Still no broodies so far.

Last night was an unsettled one, with dogs going crazy, a fox alarm barking, the cat going in and out countless times, a strange cat caught on game camera on our deck, just turmoil all night. This morning when I went into Bash's pen to clean, there was almost no poop on the wide roost bars, but a ton all centered in an area on the floor next to the feeder. It appeared they had gathered on the floor most of the night. Plus, as I was reaching under the bottom rung to scoop some poop, Bash hopped onto that bar next to me and shuffled back and forth with his feet, looking me right in the eye. I said, "What's the matter, buddy? You want some attention?" He was asking for me to pet him so I put my arms around him and stroked down his sides and he stood quietly for it.
I think he was very nervous about whatever was happening outside last night and their window is right above the top roost bar so they can see directly out that window anytime they like. Whatever he saw spooked him enough to take his girls down to the floor to sleep. Good rooster! No, great rooster!

 

[speckledhen]

We are on the way to 21 new little Bash-lettes. I set 21 Brahma eggs and 6 from my 2nd Barred Rock line a few days ago, chicks due April 16. My rabbit cage has broken clips on it so will have to figure out a brooder for inside soon until they can go out to the little coop.

 

[1muttsfan]

Whoppee! And peep-peep-peep

 

[speckledhen]

Whoppee! And peep-peep-peep

I know you're waiting on those babies from Jill and Hector. This time, we know who is who, none from the Atlas pen, and if I have to hogtie Hector and make him take more women, I guess I will. Cross your fingers for at least two or three pullets in those six eggs, Mary!

 

[speckledhen]

Yup, nothing like setting eggs to have a broody finally show up. Brandy was running around clucking yesterday. I'd expect her to begin sticking to a nest within days since I have 27 eggs in the bator on Day 6 today. Geez, Brandy, thanks. Now, I'll have a glut of chicks, if the bator does the job. I know Brandy will!