Barry Natchitoches
Has No Life - Lives on TB
OK, those of us who raise chickens are all aware of the fact that it does not matter how many nests we provide our feathered ladies, they ALL will want to lay in the same one.
But I have an interesting situation in one of my chicken coops.
Two of my black copper marans have decided to go broody. At the same time, of course.
Now, there are only four hens and a rooster in that particular coop at this time. It is my small one. But there are THREE nests in that one housing unit. They are typical size and style for chicken nests, all bought from the same farming supply store at the same time. They are identical in every way, and quite suitable for a hen conducting her business.
Given the fact that there are 3 nests in the coop, there is plenty of room for two broodies. Right? I mean, one can brood in one nest, the other can brood in the next nest, abd that still leaves an open nest for the other two to lay their eggs in.
So, is that what is happening?
No, of course not.
The two are brooding together in a nest built for one. And I saw it with my own eyes — one of the two girls still actively laying eggs actually climbed into the same nest - on top of the two broodies - and laid her egg right there for them to hatch. Together.
I was so intrigued that I just grabbed a lawn chair and watched all that from afar. She really did lay her egg for them, then together, they took her egg when she finished, and tucked it under their collective bellies for the long haul.
It is so cute I haven’t had the heart to go roaming under their bellies to collect the egg yet. Though I will, because right now, I am just not set up to support two brooding hens and chicks.
But I have an interesting situation in one of my chicken coops.
Two of my black copper marans have decided to go broody. At the same time, of course.
Now, there are only four hens and a rooster in that particular coop at this time. It is my small one. But there are THREE nests in that one housing unit. They are typical size and style for chicken nests, all bought from the same farming supply store at the same time. They are identical in every way, and quite suitable for a hen conducting her business.
Given the fact that there are 3 nests in the coop, there is plenty of room for two broodies. Right? I mean, one can brood in one nest, the other can brood in the next nest, abd that still leaves an open nest for the other two to lay their eggs in.
So, is that what is happening?
No, of course not.
The two are brooding together in a nest built for one. And I saw it with my own eyes — one of the two girls still actively laying eggs actually climbed into the same nest - on top of the two broodies - and laid her egg right there for them to hatch. Together.
I was so intrigued that I just grabbed a lawn chair and watched all that from afar. She really did lay her egg for them, then together, they took her egg when she finished, and tucked it under their collective bellies for the long haul.
It is so cute I haven’t had the heart to go roaming under their bellies to collect the egg yet. Though I will, because right now, I am just not set up to support two brooding hens and chicks.
