[scabs]

My first experience of a chicken growling. I cleaned out the coop last night and just lifted her to make sure she hadn't pooped on the eggs - I thought she had turned into a small dog.

 

Serious question: the eggs are due next week, shall I just leave her be completely now?

[joyfull]

I leave mine alone from day 19 although one of my broodies at the moment (the older one who has seen this hatching malarky all before  ) comes out on her own accord so I leave her alone anyway.

People think I'm crazy when I tell them about the chickens growling 

[scabs]

Oh right, then I've a few days left for further de-pooping if needs be (my, but she's been dropping some whoppers!  )

It mad me laugh, I have to say. She had a little peck at me too - but I don't blame her.

Thanks Joy! 

[hillfooter]

Hi Scabs,

If you have her in the laying house in a normal nestbox that's fine for hens to lay eggs for collection in but not so good for rearing chicks in so once they hatch you should move her and the chicks to more suitable housing for brooding where there's a flat floor and no other hens to interfere with the chicks.

best of luck,
HF

[scabs]

Thanks Hillfooter, she is indeed in a nest box that opens out onto a flat area and (at last) is in solitary.

I will be wanting to take them up to a new coop on the allotment so that the other hens can get to know them without being able to get 'at' them. What would be a suitable age, 2-4 weeks? They'll also have to be old enough to get up and down to the enclosed part of that particular coop.

[hillfooter]

Well I have an Orloff bantam with 3 and a half week old chicks at the moment in a run separated by an electric net from their L/F neighbours.  She's kept them separate from the other birds up till a couple of days ago (mum & chx can easily limbo under the net being so small.) So I guess she's now decided it's time for them to meet the neighbours as she's had them with the others the last two days.  The others are very used to seeing them and haven't bothered with them which has been my experience with other broods too.  So 3 weeks and I'd let them get acquainted gradually.  Mum will usuallly protect them and will make the decision to intergrate if able.
HF

[scabs]

Cool, thanks Hillfooter!