Musical Mothers

A couple of posts ago I mentioned that Figgy the flighty bantam was sitting tight on her eggs and things were progressing well.  Should have known better than to tempt fate!

Saturday was day 16 of the 21 day wait until hatching time.  For some unearthly reason, when I opened the broody box to give Figgy fresh food and water, she took flight and went tearing out of the garage as fast as her spindly little legs would carry her.  Initially I figured - no big deal - she's probably a bit stir crazy after sitting in one spot for so long.  An hour later I hounded The Boss into helping me round her back up and stuff her back in the box.   An hour after that I accepted that Figgy was REALLY over sitting on the damn nest and had absolutely no intention of staying there.

Plan B seemed a logical move - sticking the eggs under broody Apple - who had been hogging one of the nesting boxes for the previous few days.  Apple accepted the eggs no trouble at all and was still sitting tight next morning.  When I checked again later, Apple was stretching her legs but the eggs were warm and everything seemed fine.  A bit later on there was no sign of Apple in the chook house, but it didn't matter because Olive was now sitting on the eggs. (At this stage I was thinking "Give me strength!")

Late afternoon yesterday Apple was back on the nest, so I scooped up her, the eggs and all the nesting materials, then held my breath while I shifted the whole lot into the newly cleaned broody box.

Today is Day 18. Apple seems contented in the broody box. Olive and Figgy are both outside acting like normal chooks, but Mango has dug herself out a comfy spot in one of the nesting boxes and is clucking mightily.  If she thinks she'll be allowed to stay there, she's going to be disappointed.

Kiwifruit, the young Australop, laid me a wee pullet size egg today - I told her I was very proud and to keep up the good work.

Steve Austin had his first jungle adventure today. Actually I just took him out for a stroll on the front lawn, but it must have looked like a jungle from his point of view.

No "What I've learnt today" today, just a note that tomorrow The Boss and I are travelling to Dunedin for my cousin's funeral. He suffered a heart attack and passed away aged 33.  As much as I love words, I cannot find any that are right for a sympathy message. I hope some come to me tomorrow.