What's Going On 'Ere Then?

[bluemoon]

We went to the lottie this afternoon at about 4pm and collected the eggs, though neither Audrey or Autumn had laid. Their laying has been a bit erratic over the past two or three days though and it seems as if they both lay quickly just before we arrive (we know this because their eggs are still very warm). Tonight when we popped up to lock them away all the chickens were already in bed as we were a little later than usual, but as always they all came dashing out as soon as they heard the key in the gate. Audrey stayed put though until she heard Autumn and Elvis begin to tuck into their bedtime corn. We checked the nest-box and again found that both had just laid, which seemed a little unusual for quarter past eight at night. When they finally went in though Audrey went to the nest-box and although we tried to turf her out she was having none of it. This makes me wonder; have they really just laid every time we get to the plot, or is 'someone' keeping them warm? She is leaving the nest-box for food, treats and to free-range and she's still in lay so is it possible that she's about to go broody or has she just taken a shine to sleeping where she shouldn't? Elvis and Autumn are both happily perching, the house was scrubbed clean with hot water and disinfectant on Thursday and there was no sign of red-mite then, so I don't think it can be that. She's a sussex/silkie cross and they are notorious for their broodiness, but at the moment she more seems as if she's thinking about it rather than acting in the obsessive way I've heard that broodies do.

[MaureenHall]

It does sounds like the start of broodiness doesn't it? What are you going to do? Let her sit on some eggs for 3 weeks or sin-bin her?

[bluemoon]

At the moment heart is saying eggs, head is saying sin-bin. We've just got back from the plot and she came straight out when the pop-hole opened. I'd have liked to stay a little longer, but Sunday OH drives Mum and a couple of her friends to church, picks them up afterwards then we stay to lunch and this means that, although I spend a lot of time on the plot on Sundays, it's all in the afternoon. I'll see what's happening later.

[Polly Fouracre]

You only have to show an egg to a Silkie and she becomes broody!! It does seem unkind to deny her her eggs so if you don't want chicks you can buy dummy eggs for her to sit on. She'll get fed up once they don't hatch out.

[Reb Williams]

Also, from my own experience with broodies, she will no doubt end up sitting on some unfertilized ones, which you cheerfully will pick up thinking them just-laid and warm and fresh... only to find they are very old and very nasty.


Reb
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[Bramble-Poultry]

Ahh a silkie/sussex cross - they have lots of names given to them - one of which being a gold top, they are in fact bred for their broodyness and natural mothering instinct.

I would actually suggest that she may be verging on broody, this late in the season though I would not suggest it as a good idea - think what the weather could be like in 3 weeks time!! Unless you can bring her indoors of course.