Chickens, Eggs & More Chickens

From our first hen, we kind of hoped one would be broody and want to sit on eggs.  But, to no avail.  They all lay well, but while the kids often claim one is sitting, she really just laid and it resting.

That all changed about 2 weeks ago.  And it seems to be in the water now.

(an aerial shot of my three girls)

We have three, yes THREE hens laying on eggs.  I do not think they care whose eggs they are – they might even be sharing.  It started with one hen, our bantam Japanese something or other.  She started sitting on a few eggs, none of them were hers, I might add.

Then another bantam came along to join the fun, our White Frizzle.  She is a mangy thing these days, not completely sure why she has lost many feathers, but she is cute, and happy on eggs.  And finally another bantam Aracana joined the party.

 

In case you are new to chickens, Bantams are the smaller ones, they look just like the  normal size ones of their breed, but are more like miniatures.  So it is kind of funny that these three smaller girls are laying on about 10-12 eggs, and only one is a Bantam egg – the rest were laid in the coop by other hens and these girls went and rolled it to their “nest.”

What a hoot!  And watch out if you are another hen and you get close, their feathers stand up, the start making a noise unlike a chicken normally makes, and they will defend those eggs!!

(the eggs don’t even really fit under them,

see the green one peeking out?)

Not sure any will hatch, not really sure we want any to hatch.  But it is clear we have a few broody hens, and they are doing a great job!!

* I should mention, all three of these hens were not originally ours either, they were passed along by some friends a few months ago.  But they have been a very welcome addition to our flock!!  And they seem to be happily adjusting too!  Thank you to the Kincaid family for the new hens!!