We are having a bit of a heat wave at the moment. Butterscotch usually stays broody for about fourteen days but yesterday was day eighteen which is her longest yet. I wasn’t happy about her sitting in the nest box while it’s so hot so yesterday I closed the nest boxes for the day to see if I could bring this to an end.
I was a bit concerned that the three girls that are laying may need to lay but Speckles and Peaches had laid the day before so there was only Barley likely to lay. My husband said he felt sure she would lay in the chicken shed if she needed to.
Sure enough she settled herself in a corner of the chicken shed.
Barley in the shed
Barley has made a nest in the corner of the shed
She looked so cute in the shed and sure enough this was just what was needed to speed Butterscotch to the end of this broody spell.
Today she has stayed out of the nest box all day so normality has resumed which is just as well as today was even hotter.
The girls were very quiet and spent their time sitting in the shade this afternoon. Emerald and Toffee at one point were standing with their wings held out and their beaks open. I think being a darker colour they feel the heat more.
I usually give them frozen peas in a dish of water to cool them down but as we were really busy I gave them a dish of cold defrosted peas.
They all rushed over to the dish of very cold peas
They soon got stuck in
They were really enjoying the peas
I checked back a little later and the dish was empty. They had slices of melon and apple too so I hope that all these treats helped them on a hot day.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Barley do look so cute laying her egg in the shed,I know we should not moan, but yesterday really was to much. the animals really felt it. Sam did not know what to do with himself,I sponged him down, a couple of times.Ibet the girls loved their cold treats.
I love the sun but this heat is too much. We are not used to it. At least we can dress scantily whereas animals have hair, fur and feathers.
I wanted to spray the girls with water to cool them but I knew it would freak them out and there is no point adding more stress to the mix.
My girls were really feeling it and stayed under a shrub most of the day. They don’t seem to have got the idea that the patio table umbrella is shady too.
Mine had peas as well in water the reason being that while they are bobbing for peas they are also drinking .
Blossom seemed to be the one affected most but I think that’s because she is getting old. Poor thing was gasping for breath at one stage .
I usually put the peas in water but I gave the girls slices of melon to hydrate them. I am sure like us they will suffer the heat more when old. They do have the sense to sit in the shade though.
Yes – this weather is not good for the birds in general, and for broodies in particular. I have 3 broody at the moment, including Cotton – only 3 weeks and 12 eggs since she abandoned her chicks. Of the 10, we have 3 marans cocks and 1 marans pullet; 2 barred wyabdotte pullets and 1 barred wyandotte cock, 1 welsummer cock and 1 pullet and 1 female cross breed, looking like a light sussex, but with the silkie top knot! Will try and get some photos and send them on.
They definitely don’t like it when it’s as hot as this. I was relieved to get Butterscotch finished from her broody spell while it’s so hot. It must be a bit of a worry having so many broodies in the heat.
I would love to see some photos. Fifty fifty with cocks and hens then, which is supposed to be the average. What will you do with all the boys?
I send them to Skegness – not a euphemism, but there’s a chap there who advertises to take any unwanted cockerels, so it costs me the price of a courier drop, but removes the problem! I ask no questions.
Oh well, handy to have somewhere to send them. I have just paid a visit to the farm that took my chooks. Post coming up.