Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Broody, Moody, Lazy Booty?


Betty needs our attention.

Before we brought the six little chicas home, we were hoping Betty would get broody and sit on fertilized eggs, then hatch a clutch of her adopted babes. But she never did get broody, and I saw our spring chick opportunities drying up...

So. Naturally, after we brought home Puff, Trudy, Zelda, Zoe, Temple, and Tesla, motherly Betty went straight to her nest box. She has been there five days. And no, she does not know about the new coopmates... they have not met. But maybe a little bird told her about the cute little fluff balls.

Could she be doubting our affections, and feeling abandoned?
Could she simply be broody?
Is she on strike? Let the new chicas eat all the bugs and entertain you, she might be thinking.


We love you Betty. Do not be a moody brooder.

Should we introduce the chicas, in the hope that she thinks she "did it!" ? Should we leave her alone and let her hormones adjust themselves in their own good time? Does she need chocolate, a spa day?!


Poor Betty.

11 comments:

Tonia said...

My hen, Buffy, is broody right now. She has been for about two weeks. I am hoping she remains so for a couple more days, the local chicken supply store is getting some Buff Orpington chicks in a day or two. I plan on slipping two under her. We did that with Betsy last year and she raised Buffy up without a hitch. Good luck!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

This gives me hope!
Thank you Tonia.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I'm memorizing your title and am dying to use it in conversation at the soonest possible moment!
Poor Betty, indeed. :)

tara said...

giggle. She is so cute in her box. She looks so earnest.

The Words Crafter said...

Wow, I honestly didn't know chickens acted that way. I knew my cat did...it took her about a week and then she suddenly wanted to "mommy" our foster cat (who happened to be older...) please post the outcome, I'm very curious....

Anonymous said...

Well, whatever her broody mood, she's certainly photogenic. Has she considered a career in modeling?

Julie said...

I don't know....that last photo, she looks like she perked up at the mention of chocolate and a spa day.

"You're a pretty bird, Betty. You deserve a trip to the spa! Bring a girlfriend or two, have your toe nails painted, get facials, and eat lots of chocolate....At the very least, for goodness sake, eat chocolate. It fixes most anything."

Tracy said...

Sounds like a strike to me... So chocolate to change her mind... haha! Gosh, who knew... I have no practical experience with chickens for advice, but am sure letting nature take course will win the day. :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

A Daft Scots Lass said...

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Cute wee blog you have here.

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Susan said...

I've had only one serious broody hen and that was Daisy, one of my Buff Orps, last summer. I thought the poor girl was just gonna fade away into a pile of fluff. My RIRs get kind of broody-ish by screeching every time I approach the nest boxes when they're sitting, but as soon as I remove the eggs, they're outta there! All my hens are now 2 years old, so I'm going to have to start adding some new ones before long. Their egg production is probably half what it was last year.