Ribh's D'Coopage

[MaryJanet]

That’s a great old dustbin. Do you think it would heat up during summer? If you have any of those wonderful leafy branches left to cover it with they may provide more protection from the sun and dampen any echoes.

I wonder what the hens would think of it if it were half covered in soil? That would make it a chicken cave I suppose.

I thought of the heat but so far none of them like it and it's been cold, so it hasn't been an issue.

I could try making a cave out of it. It's a thought. At present it's not needed as a nest because the laundry basket is apparently just the ticket.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I don't know whether to laugh or be distressed or just go blinking hysterical. I went to let the girls into their run this morning so happened to be round when this latest piece of lunacy took place. At present I have both Wrold & Ceres sitting. They have taken the middle 2 nesting boxes in the big coop. Luna is one of the few hens laying in the big coop & naturally she usually lays in one of the 2 middle boxes. She came out with everyone else, had a look @ the small coop then took herself back to the big coop & upstairs to lay. Naturally the boxes she wanted were occupied. She tried the end one but there is obviously something wrong with it. She had a look @ Wrold's box but even when she's not broody Wrold is not a hen to mess with. Luna moved on. Ceres is feisty but she is young & way down the pecking order. Luna moved in on her. Ceres wasn't budging. She hunkered down but Luna is a big hen & her wrigging & jiggling pushed Ceres farther into the corner, exposing 2 eggs. Luna was on them like a shot, tucking them neatly under herself while poor Ceres watched. I now have Luna tucked in on top of Ceres, Luna has both fake eggs, Ceres has @ least 2 real ones. I wouldn't mind Luna brooding but I don't want her trying to share with Ceres. It's so unequal! What is wrong with these hens. In all her born days Luna has never once shown any interest in going broody but suddenly she is stealing a broodie's eggs!
I go for the real ones on Wednesday so I hope the girls have sorted themselves out before then.

It never rains but it pours.

Oh well, now you may have an abundance of broodies. I hope they do sort themselves out by next week. I’m so excited for you!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I thought of the heat but so far none of them like it and it's been cold, so it hasn't been an issue.

I could try making a cave out of it. It's a thought. At present it's not needed as a nest because the laundry basket is apparently just the ticket.

I can understand that. The laundry basket nest is beautiful. It’s my favourite too!

 

[Ribh]

It never rains but it pours.

Oh well, now you may have an abundance of broodies. I hope they do sort themselves out by next week. I’m so excited for you!

Thanks, ACM. Luna didn't stay but Alpia arrived & went completely tropo @ Ceres. Grabbed her by the scruff of the neck & literally tried to drag Ceres off the nest. I gave her the egg Luna had just laid & she happily went into the end box. I need to check what she's decided to do. Just now I wouldn't object to another broody because Ceres is so tiny but it's out of my hands.

 

[Ribh]

Is Ceres wearing a sign that says:
SIT on ME?
Yes, she has lots of eggs under her just now. No, I normally collect eggs as soon as I hear the girls start yelling. Just now I am encouraging broodiness. I do not want box sharers. I do not need egg envy. I just want a couple of girls to sit long enough to hatch me some Campines. Is that really too much to ask? ​

 

[Ribh]

I can understand that. The laundry basket nest is beautiful. It’s my favourite too!

I agree. It's a great nest idea.

 

[RoyalChick]

Is Ceres wearing a sign that says:
SIT on ME?
Yes, she has lots of eggs under her just now. No, I normally collect eggs as soon as I hear the girls start yelling. Just now I am encouraging broodiness. I do not want box sharers. I do not need egg envy. I just want a couple of girls to sit long enough to hatch me some Campines. Is that really too much to ask?
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I am sure this is a silly question, but why does it matter if they share as long as one of them keeps the Campine eggs warm?

 

[MaryJanet]

I am sure this is a silly question, but why does it matter if they share as long as one of them keeps the Campine eggs warm?

That's what I was wondering.

 

[RoyalChick]

That's what I was wondering.

Oh good. I feel less dumb now.

 

[Ribh]

I am sure this is a silly question, but why does it matter if they share as long as one of them keeps the Campine eggs warm?

Egg breakages. I have had hens share equitably ~ Wrold & Alpia manage very nicely [they are the same size & breed, are sisters & arrived together] but Alpia is showing no interest. Luna literally trampled all over Ceres. A FavorelleX V a Jap is seriously unequal. This is why I wanted to move them but absolutely no~one wanted to co~operate with that idea. I got screamed @ by everybody. The broodies left the nest, the others tried their best to break & enter. Just now I am trying to manage everything as best I can & keep everyone happy & co~operative. From what I can see everyone knows Ceres is trying to hatch chicks & is happy to provide her with the wherewithal.