lamb and chicks

Rogan, our remaining lamb is still doing well, seems to be growing before our eyes, not surprising now he is getting all the milk.  He is starting to copy his mum, chewing on a leaf of ivy companionably next to her.. though not actually eating it.. but its all good practice.  His legs are, like all lambs, way to big for him and when he runs, is in danger of being overtaken by his back legs - and hence the spring you see in young lambs! still worry for him.. still keeping things crossed. Nothing doing yet on the other ewes.

 Whilst spending time standing and staring at Sharona and Rogan (lambs do waste a lot of time.. either you are helping them into the world, trying to keep them alive, or just watching their antics) I noticed that the broody hen was out for her morning rush to the food and water for a hasty feed before returning to her nest.  The other hens were picking on her.. heard this often happens.. though don’t understand why.. she was top hen before she went broody.

I took the opportunity to have a peek at the nest.  There were 3 little black chirping chicks, 4 unhatched eggs. which is not good news.. since we put 11 eggs under her.  Whilst I was debating what could have snatched her eggs while she was sitting on them,, vermin? other hens?.. one of the other hens went into the house .. so I watched from the pophole. She went into a neighbouring next box. Then got out.. and was trying to peck at the chicks (the broody was back sitting on her nest by then).  I shooed her out, but she went back and tried it again.. each time. Clearly our broody hen and her remaining clutch were not safe, so it was belatedly time to build a broody pen.

With the unused rabbit hutch I unwisely signed over to my son for his ‘animal hospital’ (he is charging us £1 per month rent….) and some material we could put together something fairly quickly.  The question was would she be put off?  Deciding we could not leave her to be attacked, and being willing to raise the chicks indoors if she rejected then (as we have nothing else on at the mo….!) we decided to try it.  We hastily moved her over, eggs, chicks and the nest material, and thankfully she sat back down straight away.  Himself then set about constructing a little pen.  I did suggest giving in and buying one.. but assured it would take an hour.. two at the most - and four hours later we had brood coup MK1

Clearly we should have used something like this from the start.  Next time we will. She is certainly a good sitter. We have a top for it too.. which might not be necessary as the hen run is covered. Built a little ramp, and provided chick crumb, which we already had in in readiness, and some water with marbles (to stop the chicks drowning). Of course.. we did not have any marbles in readiness, so I have had to use my collection of very pretty hand selected ones from the house of marbles.. and nick the set from my son’s marble run.. assuring him I would buy replacements.  Just hope she appreciates it! Not sure how she will get on, but we have tried, and now will just have to see.