I had arranged for my chicken friend Jackie to visit yesterday to see how my angry bird was behaving. This was the first chance I had to invite Jackie over as we have had family staying and visiting for the past two weeks.
When I went out to the girls at seven in the morning yesterday, I was surprised to see that Topaz was out in the run. I gave the girls some corn and Topaz then went back into the nest box. I thought to myself that that was one less time to have to get her out.
When I returned a couple of hours later I was surprised to see that Topaz was out again and was much calmer. She was still out in the run when I left to do my deliveries.
I returned at lunch time and Topaz was still out and behaving normally. It seemed that she suddenly wasn’t broody any more. It was like a switch had been flicked and after two weeks of being an angry broody she was suddenly completely back to normal.
It was so lovely to see her out with the flock and no aggressive behaviour towards her flock mates.
When Jackie visited all was calm and normal as if Topaz had never been broody at all.
Topaz is back to normal
Topaz is back with the flock
It is lovely seeing Topaz back out with the flock doing all the usual chicken things. Even at bedtime when I lifted her down from the perch to put her in the coop she didn’t try to peck me. My sweet topaz is back again.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
It is what they call Murphy’s law . It was lovely to see her back to normal ( what ever that is 🙂 ) as you say it is like a flick of a switch .
I am sure she was thinking ” do you know what , I am getting no where with this , I should be out having fun “
I think you are right. It was odd that it was so sudden and I wonder what they think of their efforts being unproductive but she seems to have forgotten all about it now. I am just glad to be back to normal for now, until the next one!
YEA, no more broody. She’s such a pretty bird.
I went out just a few minutes later this morning and ALL the hens were up. Which is HUGE. I think Coco’s crowing and screaming is that she’s lonely out in the run before the Buff’s get up. And the Buff’s like to sleep in. So I think I’ve managed to get everyone on the same wake up schedule. Haven’t had eggs in a few days. Not sure if the babies are not laying yet or if they are eating them. So one step forward and now on to the next task.
Yes I am glad that is done with for now. I too think she is a really pretty bird.
It does always seem one step forward and another step backward I know. Perhaps the youngsters are not laying yet. I am looking forward to the time when my youngsters start laying. I too had no eggs today but two yesterday and only two laying at the moment.
It’s a conspiracy. I think you made the whole thing up!
Come on, you can see by the photos. Besides I have witnesses, Richard’s mum, Sophie (Nick’s girlfriend) and Sue (Richard’s cousin). Anyway I blame you, the first time I go away for two days, I come back to my first committed broody!
I hate to say it but I was invited down to see your broody.. No where to be seen .. 🙂 Only joking . I think you went away and in chicken think and chat ..”Chicken Carol is not going away again any time soon , we will make sure of that .We had a hen meeting and I picked the short straw and they voted for me to go broody “
It is rather funny that this was the first time I have ever left them for two days and the first time I have ever had a broody.
I do wonder though, if they actually noticed that I wasn’t there. I guess the lack of treats would probably be the thing they missed the most.
Delighted that she’s come through it – although they can be very persistent: another couple of eggs, if she does come back into lay, and maybe the whole scenario will start anew! I’ve gone from no broodies 4 days ago to 4 today, 3 of them wyandottes. the dog crate is full, but I think I’ll let the silkie sit and get some day olds in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the harmony in the flock.
I think if she does start laying again it will then be time for the moult so I am hoping not to have more broodies until next year although your experience makes me wonder.
My game birds are supposed to be prone to going broody and Emerald has some silkie cross in her and we all know silkies like to go broody so I may have a lot more of this to come in future. The game birds are looking good after their moult though.
For now I will make the most of things being back to normal.