It was one of Shirley's eggs. The shell was very thin and most of the yolk was gone. I don't know if she broke with with her feet or if she and Laverne decided to have a snack.
Soooo.... I put a plastic egg in two of the nest boxes. Laverne came over to see what I was doing and pecked at them. Of course they didn't break and she hopped out. I just hope they haven't turned into little cannibals! They have never done that, but chickens can get messed up sometimes.
If they peck enough at the plastic ones and get no snack, they might leave the real ones alone. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Look how fast they can run when they want to! Every time I go on the deck, they think it's going to be treat time!
They got fooled - I'm so mean sometimes.......
That could be one of the reasons that we put white porcelain door knobs in the nesting boxes for our chickens. Certainly some thought that it would encourage the chickens to lay, but I believe they may also have discouraged chickens from pecking them. This, you understand was 60 years ago!! Those porcelain door knobs have become collectors items. We must have had 20 or so
ReplyDeleteThey can turn into little cannibals. I wonder if Charlie doesn't drive the two ladies a bit nuts. Perhaps a couple more girl chicks to take the pressure off? We had one rooster for 25 hens... (We had several roosters and a LOT of hens). The roosters were worn pretty thin, but that was just fine with everyone, as they could be nasty buggers. If I saw one coming, I would kick it, or get attacked. Mostly they were just too tired to worry about the little 'egg girl'.
Good luck with your girls!!! Oh yeah, and definitely they can go all thin-shelled if they don't get enough calcium. Where I live now (ground up limestone is what passes for soil), chickens peck up the gravel for their gizzards and get plenty of calcium, thus rock-hard egg shells!!
Fair Winds
Cap'n Jan
Charlie will be getting new girlfriends soon. Poor Laverne is just plain worn out, but she did lay an egg next to a plastic one and it wasn't pecked at. Will post a pic of it tomorrow!! Charlie is a good rooster, really - he only attacks when I wear my red PJ's. He hates them! The first house we had was built by Hubby's grandfather. All the door knobs were porcelain, like yours or the cut glass ones. Sure wish I had them now! :o)
DeleteIndeed there can be 'good' roosters. I had one as a child - one of those colored chicks they used to sell at Woolworth's. I raised him like a baby and he followed me around like a puppy. HOWEVER, he did NOT think much of anyone else, and being a Great Big Rooster with an attitude, Dad finally had to take him to the 'farm', or risk a constant battle, and he was, truth be told, very worried about me, I was about 8 years old with no fear of my pet chicken! I don't know what kind he was, but I do remember long brightly coloured training tail feathers. But I could be reinventing his looks ;->
DeleteGood luck with your Charlie and I completely understand him being a good pet to you. Toss out those red P.J.'s!!
Cap'n Jan
Know what you mean! I'm the only one that likes Charlie. His Brother, Goldie, was really, really mean. but just beautiful. I gave him to a local farmer. He was probably a dinner soon after that!
DeleteToss out my red PJ's with little snowmen on them? Never! :o)
I save my eggshells and crunch them up and feed them back to the chickens. I live in Texas and have 13 older girls and 6 that are 6 weeks old. My rooster keeps after the girls but has never kicked or come after me in 6 years. Mr. Rooster seems pleased with the new additions in the cage. I enjoy reading about your girl's!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
I did that with their eggs shells too - but since the shells were really quite thin I decided to get crushed oyster shells at Tractor Supply. They are eating it, so I hope it helps! Baby chicks are fun to raise but require a lot of work.(Glad I did it - once! LOL) Charlie hatched in my hand - maybe that's why I'm so fond of him!. So pleased you enjoy reading about the gang! :o)
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