I can’t remember when we have had so many broodies in quick succession. I wonder if it’s because we have had such good weather earlier in the year than usual.
Mango and Cloud have now gone broody together. They are so in sync with each other that it’s no surprise they have gone broody together. It was if Mango was ready and waited until the next day for Cloud to catch up with her.
This is how it unfolded. The day before yesterday started with Mango.
When I lifted Mango out of the nest box she stayed fluffed up. Her egg was next to Red. Later she moved away and seemed back to normal. Sometimes they spend longer and longer in the nest box until they are properly broody. I suspected she was going to go broody soon.
The next day, which was yesterday, Cloud was in the nest box with Red.
After Cloud had been in the nest box with Red for most of the afternoon I lifted her out. Her egg was next to Red.
Cloud also eventually moved away and carried on as normal. At bedtime I was surprised to find that Mango and Cloud were not sitting on top of the nest box as usual. I checked the nest boxes and there they were side by side sitting in a nest box together. I thought this meant they were definitely broody.
This morning Mango and Cloud were once again together in the nest box and when I lifted the lid Mango fluffed up.
Mango and Cloud are broody along with Red. This means we are now down to just two girls laying, Gold and Snow. Eggs are going to be a bit thin on the ground for a while. I can’t believe with a flock of eight we now have only two girls laying. Sigh!
Edit
When I checked back later Snow was in one nest box and these three girls were together. I thought they looked so cute that I just to add another photo.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
You don’t have time to get bored with your girls.
I do sometimes think we have the wackiest girls. Never a dull moment.
Keeps life interesting.
It does. It’s weird when we go up to the chicken run and only half the girls are in the run.
The scourge of the bantams! It is rare not to have broodies. My ‘jail’ was empty for 2 nights, but I think it’ll have an occupant tonight. You expect it of goldtops, but not of leghorns. That final picture is worthy of a calendar spot!
From the time I took that last photo Mango and Cloud were in with Red every time. They do seem to like company. Red has now come out of it after a week. I think Mango and Cloud will be going for some time yet. Storm laid this morning after a break of two and a half weeks so we are back to three girls laying.