I admit that I'm a bit of a crazy chook lady amongst other things. In my earlier posts you might remember me talking about Chickie who we got last Christmas as a week old chick and is all grown up now. This is what she looked like a couple of weeks ago.
When Chickie was about four months old we thought she might be lonely so these two cuties arrived on the scene....
But alas..... the black and white one ended up being a rooster which left us with "Long Neck" who is a lovely girl and more recently Penny whom I'm yet to photograph.
All was coming along nicely in the hen house until Chickie decided it was time to reinforce the definition of 'Pecking Order'. I thought I'd seen it all after 25 years in the workforce but no. It was either move Chickie into another cage or have Long Neck pecked to death. Noice huh? Penny has since moved in with Long Neck and it has become a very harmonious share house.
Anyway, back to Chickie. She started laying about three weeks ago, one egg a day and if she missed a day she'd lay two :). It was all very exciting until one day last week I noticed she was sitting in her nesting box looking something like Chief Sitting Bull.
It took a few days, but I worked out that she is broody. I tried everything to distract her, explained that she was far too young and should have fun and play the field - you know, have a gap year (and maybe lay a few more eggs). But no. Chief Sitting Bull remained glued to her nest squawking loudly at anyone who'd come near her. So after giving it considerable thought, I decided to buy her a present........ eight fertilised eggs that she now has under her.
We'll see what happens after three weeks which is how long it will take for the eggs to hatch. So far she is doing a very good job of keeping the eggs warm ......
Chicks anyone?
