Keeping hens and ducks chat.

Horseygirl123

I can well believe it Edwink - it's a bit addictive isn't it. I only intended to have 6 as that would provide enough eggs for us, then we were asked to rehome three more, a couple of bantam cockerels mysteriously arrived one night. Rehomed another couple then I bought six more point of lays last summer. Currently have 15 hens, two cockerels and assorted pheasants, partridges and ducks who turn up every evening for their corn:)

I was a bit concerned several days ago as only the drake showed up. I thought something must have happened to his mate but tonight she was there and the drake wasn't. Does this mean she has a nest somewhere and they're taking it in turns to incubate the eggs?

Happygreen

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

I was a bit concerned several days ago as only the drake showed up. I thought something must have happened to his mate but tonight she was there and the drake wasn't. Does this mean she has a nest somewhere and they're taking it in turns to incubate the eggs?

None of my drakes has ever sat on a nest :rotfl: but they do stand by and guard the girls occasionally when they are laying or broody. I hope you find out what your pair is up to!

Horseygirl123

I must admit I know next to nothing about nesting habits. I just haven't seen them together for several days. They've probably had a tiff!

edwink

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

I was a bit concerned several days ago as only the drake showed up. I thought something must have happened to his mate but tonight she was there and the drake wasn't. Does this mean she has a nest somewhere and they're taking it in turns to incubate the eggs?

I would say there possibly is one somewhere. Could you follow one of them to see where they go?

Edwink x

skipton

Hi All
My last little mugger died last weekend. I really miss her as she used to jump on my lap for a chicken cuddle and was quite content to sit and watch the others below my knee. As she was top chook this has caused a huge dispute with the next in line. Talk about Game of Thrones! There will be murder in the night at this rate.
One of mine has also started to moult. She is always early so has stopped laying too.
Lovely to hear about your new girls Horseygirl.
Sorry to hear your sad news Better Days.

Better_Days

Thanks for your kind words skipton and sorry to hear you have lost one of your girls. I love the hens that roost on your lap. My current flock aren't quite that friendly but all the ex-batts do rush over whenever we go into the garden and gather round when I sit on the log in their run. My husband says it looks like I am telling them a story.

Laughed at your 'Game of Thrones' analogy. Hen politics can be really rather brutal. The main thing I think is to have plenty of space so that any hen being picked on can get away. The Araucana (Hermione) we re-homed a couple of months ago is rather a bully, but the other hens seem quite philosophical, getting out of her way with a 'oh she's grumpy again'. On the plus side she did lay a 95g blue shelled double yolker last week. My neighbour said it made a delicious omelette.

Was feeling very sorry for myself yesterday. Still missing Charlie dreadfully, my husband has gone away for 8 days and then I got a tummy bug. Couldn't eat or drink and the world was spinning even lying in bed. Feeling improved today thank goodness.

Better_Days

For all the henthusiasts on this thread there is a great story of Monique the hen on the BBC website who is sailing round the world
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36475672

edwink

Better_Days wrote: »

For all the henthusiasts on this thread there is a great story of Monique the hen on the BBC website who is sailing round the world
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36475672

Well done for posting that Better Days. I saw the article when reading the BBC news earlier but for some reason I could not post the link of it on here. So glad someone spotted and posted it. Great little story.

Hope everyone is ok and not getting too fed up with this blooming awful June weather. My hens got soaked today more than once.

Edwink x

edwink

Better_Days wrote: »

Was feeling very sorry for myself yesterday. Still missing Charlie dreadfully, my husband has gone away for 8 days and then I got a tummy bug. Couldn't eat or drink and the world was spinning even lying in bed. Feeling improved today thank goodness.

Sorry to hear about you little dog Charlie Better Days. I know how sad that must make you feel especially not feeling well too. We had to have our beautiful Boxer PTS some years ago and I was so sad, so very sad,

Here is a (((HUG))) from me and the others on here. It can and will get easier, honest. Hope you are feeling better tummy wise soon.

Edwink x

edwink

skipton wrote: »

Hi All My last little mugger died last weekend

Awww that is always so sad when that happens. Just remember as a hen lover I am sure she enjoyed her time with you and I should imagine you spoilt her rotten like you do the rest of them.

(((Hug))) from me.

Edwink x
p.s. Sorry for posting one after the other on here but I had a bit of catching up to do on our thread tonight.