This afternoon I got Topaz out of the nest box as usual and closed all the coops. She had some mash and some apple and grape then wanted to go back in. When she found the doors closed she rushed out again and proceeded to dig a hole at break neck speed.
Topaz then set about having a lovely dust bath.
Meanwhile Honey looked as if she wanted to lay her egg so while Topaz was distracted in her dust bath I opened the coops again.
Suddenly Topaz sprang out of her dust bath and headed for her favourite coop. I tried to get to it and close the door so that she would shake herself first. She was so speedy that I didn’t make it in time and she zipped in and settled herself down absolutely covered in dust.
Oh well, I suppose she will shake herself off when she next comes out.
Topaz takes a dust bath
To the right of Topaz is her large broody poop deposited on her way to the dust bath.
Topaz is completely covered in dust
Dusty Topaz back in the nest box
I swear Topaz has a sixth sense about when the nest box is open.
Amber immediately took Topaz’s place in the dust bath. With her little legs a ready made dust bath is always welcome.
Amber takes Topaz’s place in the dust bath
At least I know Topaz has had food, water, a poop and a dust bath today even if she is sitting still covered in dust.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I just love the determination of a broody.
My little Peeps are 20 weeks old today. Two are squatting for me. Sadly, those same two have taken to eating eggs. So I don’t think they’ve started to lay yet. But who knows. They might just be eating them.
I did try putting a mustard filled egg out for them and they pecked it open and ate the mustard like it was the best thing in the whole wide world.
My hens are making me crazy.
When I got Topaz out tonight the shavings in the coop were grey/black where she must have shaken in there. I ended up cleaning it out, replacing with new shavings and dusting with D.E. Sigh! I will try to make sure she shakes first next time.
Poor you. My husband always says that we are now on to problem 152 or 168 or any random number that comes into his head so I so know how you feel.
Why do they do these things!! I don’t know what to suggest. I had read others who said mustard doesn’t work but didn’t want to be negative. I have read to collect as soon as laid (when that’s possible) or roll away boards so that the egg disappears from reach when laid (no idea how you do that), I am probably no help at all.
Keep me posted.