To my fellow enablers

[EggSighted4Life]

She's totally broody
I took her eggs and left her sitting on her golf ball until I can get her spot ready.

Now .. I may have a problem ... or dinner

I let mama and littles into the run with the biguns tonight to see how it would go. Mama laid into anyone who got too close, including the rooster. He managed to peck a chick and that hen pummeled him. I was so proud .. but then he wouldn't let up with her. It looked like he didn't like her trying to push him around and wanted her to submit. I don't know how old he is .. was grown when we got him from a fellow church member.

Sometimes the length of his spurs can help tell how old he is.

You might be able to try an in sight time out for him, since this may be his first experience.

You may be right about it being pecking order between the hen and him. As he should still be at the top in theory. But I'm sure none of my gals would allow a boy to get away with pecking a chick. I do see the behavior of the roo change towards the broody... since she no longer puts out he isn't AS kind to her as usual. But I haven't yet faced your exact situation.

If he is gentile and good for the most part to the ladies... never dropping a wing to dance at YOU and not giving the stink eye when you pass... then he gets the benefit of the doubt and some training for the first go around, here.

Glad your mama showed tenacity!

Pics always welcome.

 

[jadip4]

Broody came off the nest this morning to eat. Was still out, walking around growling and all puffed up when I left for work. I suspect she'll be back on that golf ball.

I gave Mama Gerty the option to go into the coop with babies last night. She walked in, looked around, said 'nope' .. and took them back to the nest. Think I'll pull out big boy tonight so she can sort it out with the other hens.

Let's see here .. we've had the roo since late August. Spurs were pretty short then .. now they're about an inch and a half long. He hasn't really grown but has filled out since we've had him. He's super scared of people, no issues there..
When I let everyone out of the' coop in the morning he's pretty .. ahem .. excited. Makes his rounds with the girls, but if they don't comply he'll chase them down more aggressively than I like to see. Lately he'll walk up to the BA's fence and stomp his feet at her. The look on her face ... oh I love that chicken.

I posted a thread recently about the color of my EE hen .. so some of these pictures may look familiar

Little splash on far right has big pink comb already .. 6 of these belong to the EE hen below. Black one is Mama Gertys.


August Bubba:


Current Bubba:


Currently Broody

 

[jadip4]

DD has been trying (unsuccessfully) to break the broody. Thought the kid had my back ... but nooo ... according to her we have enough. Pffft .. kids.

That hen tried to sit on my hand while I was collecting her eggs. Silly bird.

 

[Kiki]

ill catch up soon.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

That hen tried to sit on my hand while I was collecting her eggs. Silly bird.

It feels quite funny when we reach our hand under and they do a little wiggle and tuck with their wings to try to get our hand in position for incubating!

My boys always randy first thing in the morning... chickens have really given me insight to sooo many human behaviors! Showing off to attract mates, pecking order is real even in humans, teenagers staying out late and rolling their eyes when they see you, acting all stand offish. And yes I don't appreciate the vigor with which he goes after some. The rooster taking a hen out to "dinner" before trying to get in her pants, and a serenade and dancing!

He is looking about a year old not quite 2... will probably molt this fall/winter. He is a pretty boy too.

Where did you EE come from? I just noticed she isn't bearded in addition to her not pea comb.

Kids are funny! SOMETIMES the voice of reason.

 

[jadip4]

ill catch up soon.

Not like you're busy .. or anything ..
Focus on those baluts, woman!

 

[Kiki]

Not like you're busy .. or anything ..
Focus on those baluts, woman!

I'm back home now...I was on the road earlier.
Going to catch up right now.

 

[jadip4]

Where did you EE come from? I just noticed she isn't bearded in addition to her not pea comb.

Most the flock came from the farm supply .. think they ordered through Murray McMurray, but not positive. She started off with a pea comb, and it grew into what you see now.

 

[Kiki]

Ok caught up...so is DD going to continue to try to break the broody or are you going to move the other mom and babies out and move the broody in?

 

[jadip4]

Working on the latter .. I can rationalize most anything ..
We're working on moving Mama, but she likes the nest they've been living in and isn't giving it up easily .. should have her out by the weekend. If I have too, I'll set up a second broody pen. Irregardless, the babies are getting big enough, and I've got at least 5 that are showing to be cockerels already. The current batch of littles will be in position to move on, however they're gonna move on, by the time Opal hatches the next clutch. I'll just be rotating them out. I explained this to DD after she booted Opal out the nest, again, .. and she gave me a 'whatever' look, lol. Hubs is on board, I think. I'm not sure I've told him ..