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Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 09:45 AM Jul 2023

I've been petsitting

for my daughter. Dogs, cats, one indoor, one outdoor, a kitten and a guinea pig. She has chickens, but she had them set up for while they are gone. I checked on them yesterday, to be sure they still had food and water. I don't let them out when I'm there, because I'm scared to death a predator will get them. There are coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and hawks to watch for. I went in the caged coop to check the food. I hadn't thought about it, and was wearing sandals. I painted my toenails before I went to Maine. As I added food to the feeder, several of the hens started slam pecking my feet. They put a lot of effort into each poke. Ow. Luckily, they were more interested in food and after a couple of seconds of toe frenzy, they came to their senses. While I was filling the feeder, I was surprised to see a tiny chick pop out from under the coop structure, and disappear right back under it. I feed the chickens once in awhile, but had to figure out how to get into the coop. After I figured that out, I gave the chicks (at least 2) and the hen that was in with them food and water. I texted my daughter and she had no idea. I knew she thought a hen was hiding a nest somewhere, but she hadn't found it. I think they'll be okay in the coop till tomorrow. I thought about trying to catch them, and putting them in the smaller section of the coop, but it'd probably be hard on them. Always a surprise over there

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I've been petsitting (Original Post) Marthe48 Jul 2023 OP
You are in an episode of all Creatures Great and Smal! MLAA Jul 2023 #1
I didn't even mention all of the wildlife I saw Marthe48 Jul 2023 #2
.... CentralMass Jul 2023 #3
That's the funniest thing I've seen in years Marthe48 Jul 2023 #6
Did the chickens ruin your pedicure? Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #4
It's time to redo Marthe48 Jul 2023 #5
I know, I hate it when chickens ruin a pedi/mani. Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #7
Maybe a stiff drink Marthe48 Jul 2023 #8
You need a stiff drink just to face the chickens. Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #9
I went back in a little while ago. Marthe48 Jul 2023 #10
Here's an article about chickens hiding their eggs. Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #11
Thanks Marthe48 Jul 2023 #12
Since the eggs were hidden after your visit yesterday, I thought it might be connected. Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #13
I didn't think of that Marthe48 Jul 2023 #14
Maybe chickens not buying your nice guy routine. Irish_Dem Jul 2023 #15
Lol Marthe48 Jul 2023 #16

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
2. I didn't even mention all of the wildlife I saw
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 09:49 AM
Jul 2023

lol

They live 20 minutes away and it's like a safari over there. lol

Irish_Dem

(55,982 posts)
7. I know, I hate it when chickens ruin a pedi/mani.
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 12:14 PM
Jul 2023

You are going to need a spa day when this is all over.

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
10. I went back in a little while ago.
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 12:51 PM
Jul 2023

I brought a pair of old shoes to slip on and peanuts to bribe them. Put a small waterer in the nursery, and made sure the other chickens have what they need. When I discovered the chicks yesterday, I noticed a pile of eggs in one corner and left them. Today, when I put waterer and food in, the eggs were covered with dirt, still piled. And there is another hen in the far corner hunkered down. Maybe it's a fad! I still heard peeps, so the chicks are still there

I didn't know chickens will cover their eggs. I read either because of inexperience or crowding. The coop is roomy. The coop inside the fence has several nesting boxes about 3' off the ground, with plenty of access and privacy. But they don't use that. I don't usually have to tend to them, and I learn something new almost every time. Especially. I don't want chickens!

Irish_Dem

(55,982 posts)
11. Here's an article about chickens hiding their eggs.
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 01:05 PM
Jul 2023

They aren't supposed to do it.
Maybe you spooked them since they don't know you.

But I know nothing about chicken psychology.
Was not covered in grad school.

https://blog.omlet.us/2019/08/20/why-chickens-hide-their-eggs-and-how-to-stop-them-doing-it/

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
12. Thanks
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 01:18 PM
Jul 2023

I saw part of it as an answer to a Google search. My daughter keeps it pretty clean, but they been in and out a lot this summer, so maybe it needs attention. She has kept chickens for almost 10 years, and didn't want to keep going. But as long as she's got roosters and hens, they'll keep slipping a couple past the goalie.

Irish_Dem

(55,982 posts)
13. Since the eggs were hidden after your visit yesterday, I thought it might be connected.
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 01:22 PM
Jul 2023

Maybe the chickens got scared.

I don't know how you keep the roosters and hens from doing their thing.

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
14. I didn't think of that
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 01:48 PM
Jul 2023

Every time I come and go, I pass the chickens and say hi to them each time. I give them peanuts once in awhile. Probably not enough contact for them to trust me. They end up with roosters because no one wants more than one, if any. If she has roosters, she tries to find humane homes, or keeps them. She's got 2 right now, both a lot more docile than some of past roosters were.

Irish_Dem

(55,982 posts)
15. Maybe chickens not buying your nice guy routine.
Mon Jul 17, 2023, 01:56 PM
Jul 2023

They take the peanuts but they still are going to kick
dirt on their eggs to hide them from you just to be on the safe side.

But again, I know nothing about chicken psychology.
I should have taken that class on hen behavior in grad school.

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