It's a few days since I put in the nesting box and Skye is following Marigold and bobbing his head. I hope that means well.

Marigold's checking out the nesting box. She has been in twice while I was looking with a short break in between.

Marigold seems to mhave moved all of the sawdust over to one corner. Does that mean that she is preparing to lay?

mabe not to lay right up

but yes she is cleaning nest

Edited January 17, 201015 yr by GenericBlue

fingers crossed.

I'm glad she's not afraid to go in the box!

Good luck!!

Thanks! She only just started to notice the box yesterday.

Thanks! She only just started to notice the box yesterday.

Well all the indications are good! I reckon you'll be getting eggs soon.

 

It is very hot right now .... have you made sure they are in a cool area? Remember that once the hen starts to incubate she is basically box-bound and you need to make sure she doesn't get too hot!

Don't worry, they are under shade. Marigold has piled up all of the nesting material into the corners like a nest.

She has been in the nesting box again this morning.

Marigold is at the nesting box again but not in it.Marigold went in the nesting box for 2minutes and 47seconds with Skye sitting outside.To my knowledge, Marigold has been in the nesting box 4 times today!She just went in again and there was a lot of bustling about. I think she is carrying an egg, not sure but her bum is bigger. How long does it take for her to lay?In again!

She has been in again. :sadsorry:

I am guessing you are watching them from afar, where they cannot see you.

 

One thing you do not want is to be constantly in their vision, or you will distract them from the very thing you want them to do - breed.

 

Do you have multiple pairs breeding? My own recent breeding experience shoudl highlight the need to have multiple breeding pairs at the same stage so fostering can occur in some situations where it is required.

They can't see me. Unfortunately I don't have more than one pair at the moment. I'm thinking of getting more birds soon, though. Is it usual for the hen to put a lot of work into preparing the nest?

yes and ten to twelve days after mateing begins comes the first egg

 

dave is right you are risking your birds and the chicks breeding a single pair

three pairs is least you should put down four is better

 

these pairs need to be incondition at same time and be put up on same day as to get sincranized laying happening

Edited January 18, 201015 yr by GenericBlue

Thanks, at the moment I don't have three pairs but will in the future.

She was in for longer today.And again.

Lots of stretching about in the nest box, I couldn't help but peep from a distance.

Lots of stretching about in the nest box, I couldn't help but peep from a distance.

Ratzy, I understand how exciting this is for you However, you really need to be very discreet in your observations and check the nest box once in the morning and once in the evening MAXIMUM.

 

You run the risk of freaking her out - a stressed hen will not brood properly (incubate the eggs) and will have "issues" raising the young.

Edited January 19, 201015 yr by renee

That was the only time I peeped today.

She is in again.

Lots of stretching about in the nest box, I couldn't help but peep from a distance.

Ratzy, I understand how exciting this is for you However, you really need to be very discreet in your observations and check the nest box once in the morning and once in the evening MAXIMUM.

 

You run the risk of freaking her out - a stressed hen will not brood properly (incubate the eggs) and will have "issues" raising the young.

 

Agreed.

Lot's of preening and feeding and courting today.

Courting is weird. Skye runs after Marigold then Marigold run after Skye.