Popcorn’s Little Nest Egg

After Rocky’s departure the hens have been getting used to their new normal. Immediately I could see Popcorn’s feathers fluff back up, it seemed she was trying to make herself smaller to avoid his libido.

We thought for a long time that the hens weren’t laying at all. Then my husband went to cut back the hydrangea bushes that are on the outskirts of the potager and he found a treasure trove of eggs. About twenty!

Then we’d find the odd one in the coop, but they seemed to have stopped laying after Rocky’s departure. I had seen Popcorn fly up to the wall that separates our home from the next door neighbours garden. There is wooden fencing against the shorter end of the wall, and she was walking behind the fencing to avoid Rocky. I thought this had all stopped now, but my visit to the chicken coop this morning showed me I was very much mistaken.

As I got near the coop I could see Popcorn anxious to get out. I was a little late, around 10am, and instead of staying to eat the corn she dashed straight past me. I was coming out after feeding the others when I saw a fluffy, white bum poking out through the fence panels, I could see she was nestling down. I crept forward trying not to disturb her and she was definitely nesting. Something caught me eye – between the slats of the panel were eggs!

I called my husband and kiddos over and we all had a good look. Popcorn got down, and Belle flew up into her spot! When she was done the girls and I managed to get out 12 eggs, and another 3 broke as we tried to extricate them.

During the week hubby and I will be patching up the gaps and trying to coax them back into their nesting boxes.

Added to that we replaced Rickey with two younger chickens. We have to keep them separate from the other hens for now because of the brutal pecking order and possible viruses. The girls are loving them, and I’m trying to get them out holding them at each once a day so they get used to being held. They’ve called them ladybug and cat noir from the Miraculous tv show. As they’re red and black the names suit them, even though they’re a mouthful.