we have 2 left over cobb hens (one was laying and we thought it was a shame to eat her but we didn't know which one so kept both
) about 10 days ago Harriet vanished and we couldn't find her, we asumed she was the latest victim of a fox (we haven't lost one since Hurley and Boone were taken) 3 days ago Pip thought she'd spotted her at the back of the stables but when we went to look we saw only ducks (i made some jib to Pip about not knowing a duck when she sees one
(she was adamant it was Harriet as Henrietta was in the garden) whilst i was at work today Harriet turned up in the yard, Pip grabbed her and shut her in a stable before she could vanish again, it was a very smug Pip who said "look what i found?" when i got back, she then told me that Harriet had done the biggest poo she'd ever seen, alarm bells started ringing as i'd heard of broody's and their poos, we let Harriet out and watched to see where she went (in the pouring rain) she had a drink and a dust bath and didn't seem in a hurry to go anywhere but then she beetled off (with Pip and i in hot pursuit) and settled herself on a nest of 15 eggs in a nettle patch at the back of the stables, we have moved her inside (got stung) and made a nest for her (old kitchen cupboard) given her food and water and she settled back on her eggs, the eggs look old and discoloured, we will candle a few tonight and see if they are viable, i have 20eggs in the incy that are due to hatch on the 23rd 6 of them are from our own hens, if all Harriets eggs are duds would it be wise to swap them for the 6 rir's in the incy? Pip thinks if the eggs are dead it's because she shut Harriet in a stable and prevented her going back to her eggs (she was off the nest for about an hour but the eggs were exposed to the elements) Pip really doesn't want to take her eggs away and leave her with nothing., any advice would be gratefully received, i didn't know cobbs went broody
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May 07, 2009, 10:36