Nutmeg update.

So, with Nutmeg very firmly ensconced on The Eggs, my morning routine has had to change a bit.

I now go out and open the door of the Brody Ark where Nutmeg greets me with a frenzied crescendo of
 " bock bock bock" while I carefully pick her up off the eggs and put her outside.

I have already put her food and water bowl nearby, so she has to move towards it, rather than turning round and going straight back inside to The Eggs.

 here they are - two French Copper Blacks (dark brown) a Dorking x French Wheaten (pale) and a Cream Legbar x French Wheaten ( Blue)

 I quickly shut the doors so Nutmeg can't get back in until she has eaten, drunk

 and eliminated. Broody hens only poo once a day and do huge, very smelly ones. Like this.

While I guard her eggs, Nutmeg eats a bit of grass, does a few stretches and flaps her wings. Then with a huge "squaarrrk" she heads back to the Broody Ark and I let her in.

I do this before I let any of  the other hens out and I shut the others in at night a bit earlier than normal so I can let Nutmeg out again last thing at night for more food and drink.


If I didn't do this I don't think she would bother - I have seen a broody hen turn to skin and bone, rather than leave her eggs and I do not want that for Nutmeg.

Fingers crossed, so far, so good.