I had just said that if Cricket goes broody, I may give her eggs to hatch me a few more layers (males would have to go, even if I have to give them away). Someone is broody, but it isn't Cricket. Still, it is the third hen in our chicken-keeping history that I REFUSE to allow to hatch eggs because of her bad temper. One was an Atlas daughter, Tessa (unusual for that line, wasn't mean except when she was on a nest). One was my Sumatracauna, Tiny the Terrorist. And the newest on the Broody Blacklist is......
IRIS.
That little wench attacked my boots, then when I shoved her back, gently, I might add, she flew up and FLOGGED my leg! WTH? I have not had a mean girl since Tiny was in her glory days. And a bantam Cochin at that. I thought she'd outgrow her biting habit eventually, as Bee mostly has, disciplined her repeatedly as a mother hen would a chick (lightly thunk the top of the head), etc. She is a hard case and I won't, WILL NOT, deal with a broody hen that I cannot trust to allow me to manage her and the little ones. Who'd think this beauty is a hellion, but she is. She is a DEVIL CHILD! Yeah, I'll wait for my sweet Cricket to raise some new egg layers for me.
Meanwhile, Mace is doing well with my late Hector's four big hens. He keeps going for wild bucking bronco rides trying to mate them, but they haven't killed him yet, LOL. He is the only one of the bantam Cochin boys who doesn't have to share so his huge battle with Gunnar (that lost Gunnar his 2nd in Command spot in the group) did him some good.
