I can't follow Mendip's "Dressing up innocent animals in womens lingerie at every possible occasion" multiple threads, without getting a minimal amount of mental issues.
But I see that you have the audacity to cast the first stone, Brother Fred
I can't follow Mendip's "Dressing up innocent animals in womens lingerie at every possible occasion" multiple threads, without getting a minimal amount of mental issues.
But I see that you have the audacity to cast the first stone, Brother Fred
I’m not sure how innocent Bendy Mendy’s menagerie is
Today Som23 brought her new chicks out into the big wide world. The fourth egg didn't hatch and after she left the nest I checked... and it was just fowl () smelling liquid inside.
Blackie continues to care for her brood. Once they get through the first day or so they usually survive. A snake could change that of course but the dogs can earn their keep for once.
The hen with a bad leg continues to get food brought to her and seems happy enough. I'm not sure if the others are being empathetic or just like to visit to steal her food.
And the proud father. He has around 35 wives and appears to be servicing them all. I have to say that I would struggle with that.
A splendid cock indeed.
I’m feeling inspired to build my own chicken soup now!
That is a beautiful cock Mendip!
A Freudian slip. I meant coup.
But soup is also good.
Thank you Topper. A rare compliment.
The strangest thing happened tonight...
I have got into the habit of sitting with our poorly hen with a bad leg every night... I give her some food and keep the others away while enjoying a gin and tonic.
Tonight as we sat in companionable silence, all of a sudden Nelson quick-marched over and mounted her, right in front of me.
It was all over in an instant... or after 'a good seeing to', as we'd say in the West Country.
AND THEN SHE STOOD UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WEEK!!!
It's a miracle! Her right leg is still a bit gammy but I think Nelson may have cured her.
I'm gonna tell the wife about this... ask her if she has any ailments that need curing tonight.
If you know what I mean.
^ I have to hope so.
But don't forget, one man's 'instant' is another man's 'several seconds'.
No words needed really.
is it where all your old furniture spends its retirement?
Well, this is a new low for me but I did have some spare time today.
The chickens get some dried rice and veggies mid-afternoon while I collect the eggs, and I decided to hang around a while to see what was going on.
In around 15 minutes Nelson did five of his wives and he was still on the prowl when I left. At that rate I don't think that 35 wives is a problem for him and to be honest even back in my hey day I didn't see action anything like this. Maybe I can take some pointers?
Anyway, just call me David Attenborough.
^No, not on the chickens.
Today I checked our last broody hen (Som 31) who featured in the video) and 3 out of 4 or her eggs had hatched overnight, which ain't bad.
And the unhatched egg was cracked and a chick was cheeping from inside. The final chick was on it's way out. That '3' is for the 3rd January, when the eggs were put under the hen. This time of year incubation always takes 19 days (18 days in the hot weather). You cold set your calendar by it.
And a couple of hours later it was 4 out of 4! This means that 11 out of the last 12 eggs the hens have sat on have hatched. I think that Nelson could be our most virile cock yet.
all this is good but surely if you don't eat them you are going to have an even larger surfeit of eggs?
Yeah I know. We are becoming a victim of Nelson's success!
One or two chicks per broody hen is perfect... it gives them a chance of motherhood without increasing the size of the flock too much. Nelson is so fertile we are getting overrun, but assuming that half of the chicks will be cocks, that limits things a bit. They will go off to join the local Temple's flock for a long and happy life (well, at least that's what I've been assured).
As for an egg surplus... there are always people who will take them in exchange for an occasional lunch or something.
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