The warm weather has brought the frogs out. They are still dark in their coloring. This one has lived here for several years. I pass by him (or her, maybe he's a she) anyway, I pass it twice a day. Once in the morning, when I walk on my way to the henhouse to let the gals out...and once in the early evening, on my walk back at the end of the day to lock the gals up. We exchange pleasantries. Today ~we agreed~ was a nice day...a bit windy perhaps, but enjoyable.
"i'm breathin in
i'm breathin out
Like Humans Do."
David Byrne
We talk about the birds...they are looking for nesting sites, you know. I tell the frog about one that I found yesterday...in the trumpet vine.
He tells me that the chickadee wants me to clean out the nest box over on the garden fence...the one that the wren used last year. I made a note of it.
A few of the hens wander over to see what we are talking about,
or rather, to see if there is anything good to eat...the frog leaves with a kerplunk into the pool.
The hens are thinking of nests too. I've got a broody hen in the coop. There is a slim chance that the eggs are fertile, but I'll let her sit for now. I shared an exchange with the hen too (she was not as nice as the frog) and by the time it was over, she had a few ruffled feathers. I got the hint...she is quite determined.
I ask you, is this not the face of a "Moody Broody"?
11 comments:
> There is a slim chance that the
> eggs are fertile...
What do you mean? Have you got a cockerel with the hens? If so, I would always assume that the eggs are fertile.
We have got a hen sitting on eggs at the moment as well -- tomorrow is two weeks, so just one more to go!
What a delightful post Cyndy. You definitely have a Moody Broody Hen on your hands.
I can give you a couple of eggs to put under her. But then again my rooster keeps falling off over their head so who knows if mine are fertile! None of my chickens are broody but I wouldn't mind if they did. I am going to start leaving duck eggs in the nest at the end of the month when it is warmer and hope Sister Mary Margaret decides it is time.
I can imagine how gorgeous that trumpet vine is when it's in bloom!
That is a determined face, all right! :-)
How long should you let a hen sit on the eggs before you can determine if they are fertile or not? I can see how you might want to resolve that question fairly quickly, if you planned to use the eggs for cooking...
Oh I have already give those eggs up for gone!
I collect the eggs once a day when the weather is cool....and twice a day when it gets warm out in the summertime. A broody hen has a higher body temp than a non broody hen...so if she has started to incubate the eggs...fertile or non fertile...they will not be consumed at the table (I will take them on a hike into the woods for the critters like the fox and opossum to enjoy)
I found a bird's nest today too. So lovely.
your hens' colors are lovely!
Do you have the book "Eastern Bird Nests" by Hal H. Harrison put out by Peterson Field Guides? It's fascinating and I have learned a lot. Which leads me to the following question. How big is that nest in your trumpet vine? It's hard to tell. It looks a bit like a robin or thrush nest.
Delightful post.
Yes, Moody Broody is not to be messed with.
Ha....I have a broody girl too. Same determined face. Oh and the scolding I get. I force her off the nest once a day and put her outside to get some exercise. She halfway extends her wings and runs full speed across the yard, making such noises. And then jumps on top of a trashbag full of leaves and pecks it furiously. Very strange bird.
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