For those of you who have been following our progress, you know that my two original hens, the “old guard,” have been choosing to sleep in our beech tree instead of on the fine roost inside the red roof inn that we built them. Well, I finally have ALL parties locked in the coop, and it was no easy feat!
When I brought the new pullets home Saturday, I decided that we would put them in the coop and lock ’em up for a few days so they’d learn the proper sleeping habits. I was mostly ok with the two originals staying in the tree.
That seemed like a good idea, until Sunday morning when the two old guard started pacing like a woman in labor! I had hoped they’d just find another place to lay, but that was not going to happen! 🙂
I am going to try to relate this story the best I can, but I know I can never do the scene justice! You’ll note there are not too many pictures of the craziness because, well, it is hard to take pictures at the same time as catering to the laboring needs of your hens. You’ll have to bring your imagination to the table for this post.
The Dominique was first – up on top of the nesting box (with Atlas sitting staring like she was crazy). I don’t think I can accurately paint the picture of this bird pacing and clucking back and forth. She was up on top of the coop (over 6′ high) at one point! She went in the dog house for a while, but I don’t suppose it was good enough as she came out and left no egg. Finally, she hopped on the skid at the side of the coop and was craning her neck like she was trying to figure out if she’d fit in the little crack between the ramp door and the coop.
I decided to open it, standing guard to keep the others in in case they decided to make a break for it. She hopped right over to the opening – and did a double take before going in – I think she wasn’t expecting company 🙂
I quickly closed the ramp door and did a little celebration dance since now we just had one to try and get in.
Later in the afternoon, the red hen started the same dance… on the egg box, in the coop. I’ll spare you the details since they pretty much mimic what happened with the Dominique. Except that the first time I opened the ramp door, the red hen didn’t see me, and in the delay the wily Dominique escaped! I did manage to get the red one in though, and we resolved to get the Dominique in after she was asleep.
When we were getting ready for supper, I got worried a bit about our prospects for hen retrieval… she was in her tree but easily 14 feet up!
By the time we wrapped up for the evening and we’re ready to go catch her, she had moved down considerably. Jerry was able to get her easily on the normal ladder.
They have spent all day today in the coop, and I plan to let them out tomorrow. Everyone will have had at least 2 nights in there, and the newbies 3. I didn’t really like leaving them locked up today – I know the old guard especially must be missing their bugs. I did get them some meal worms and cracked corn to scratch at and they seemed to like that. Just doesn’t seem right to have them cooped up with all this yummy yard in which to forage.
Side note: we did get an egg from each of the old guard after all the crazy antics of the morning!.
Atlas did get a tasty pork femur to keep him occupied while he’s having some time off from his livestock guardian duties. I think we’ll all be glad to find our new normal tomorrow!