knackfarmer
In the Brooder
- Jan 8, 2024
- 3
- 19
- 21
We took in 2 young Australorp hens in early April 2023. They were from a neighbours flock and just about at point of lay. We had an existing hen (Kath) and a rooster (Jackie Chan) already in situ and the new girls (Kylie and Dannii) settled in pretty quickly under the tutelage of Kath and JC. Kath passed a month or so after the arrival of K&D, from natural causes. K&D began laying and were delivering up an egg a day from the end of June until both started exhibiting broodiness end October. Since 1 November, they've been essentially staying in their side by side nests (they do EVERYTHING in pairs and are synchronus, which is funny to watch). No eggs under them. I kept an eye for 21 days, and essentially brought them out of the coop for food and water each day (because they were NOT coming out). FF to today (9 January) and while they will, under duress (meaning I scoop them up and bring them out to the wider yard), come out and wander about the property, dust bathe etc., they'll make a beeline back into the nest at the first opportunity. Our rooster is just plain lonely and follows me everywhere now ... and he certainly does not get a moment of lovin' in even when they're out because they don't accept his advances.
Any help, advice, recipes welcome.
Any help, advice, recipes welcome.