Today there was a lot of nest box activity. Mango has been squatting, vocal, going to the grit and oyster shell and looking in the nest boxes so I knew she was on the verge of laying her first egg of the year.
There has been lots of flicking pine shavings out and Mango was very interested in Gold who was in the next nest box.
Red is a creature of habit and only lays in the nest box next to the chicken shed. She was unhappy about Gold occupying her favourite spot and there was some growling from these two girls.
The dispute attracted Mango to go and investigate. Once Mango left the nest box I lifted Gold intending to move her next door but found that she had actually laid her egg so I put her out in the run. Red soon settled to lay her egg.
On the right is Storm’s egg and next to it is Mango’s egg which is a good size. Next is Gold’s egg and on the left is Red’s egg.
Gold has been spending more and more time in the nest box over the last few days. Although she laid today she later returned to the nest box so I suspected she was broody. She has laid ten eggs in just over two weeks. It seems to be a pattern that as one girl starts laying another stops.
For the rest of the day Gold stayed in the nest box and returned after each time I lifted her out. She is definitely broody.
The broodies seem to be starting early this year, sigh!
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Well done Mango.
I echo you with – Well done Mango. I am always proud of them when they lay their first egg of the year.