Congrats!!! I really hope she doesn't pick up on your angst though... like most animals, they can pick up when we are stressed I know it's really, really exciting, but I learnt the hard way some years ago with multiple DIS. Chill out, sit back and let nature take its course... Oh, and I'd get some more nesting material too. It will help keep the eggs from moving around and will be needed when they begin to hatch.

okay maesie, what nesting material do you suggest I use?

okay maesie, what nesting material do you suggest I use?

 

 

I used to use wood shavings. Newpaper won't gave the same amount of support. My silly hen never used the concave and her eggs went all over the place. I continued to re-fill with wood shavings and after she decided to leave them in there... all was well. It's more important for when they start hatching too, to avoid splayed legs etc... If you don't have any now, don't stress, but I'd get some in the coming days

okay, but I may have to use some newspaper for now.

okay, but I may have to use some newspaper for now.

 

 

Ratzy, do you not have any porridge oats in the house? You can also put in a cupful of seed. That gives the mom something to eat while she's sitting there. I just think you're going to have a mess with newspaper.

Nope, nobody really eats porridge here, but I could check the cupboard.

I got some pics of mum and dad Marigold wouldn't let me see the eggs, but as soon as I can, I will get pics of them, too. Sorry for the late pics, really should have got them earlier

Here is Dad.

Here is Mum.

 

And Skye again.

Here is a good one of Marigold.

Marigold is looking for something to eat.

Edited February 1, 201015 yr by Ratzy

Here is a good one of Marigold.

What a lovely photo! She looks the proud Mum, doesn't she?

Nope, nobody really eats porridge here, but I could check the cupboard.

I got some pics of mum and dad Marigold wouldn't let me see the eggs, but as soon as I can, I will get pics of them, too. Sorry for the late pics, really should have got them earlier

Here is Dad.

Here is Mum.

 

And Skye again.

Here is a good one of Marigold.

Marigold is looking for something to eat.

Hi Ratsy, Great picture of Marigold, I wouldn't go worrying about adding nesting stuff now, If she starts getting stressed she'll go kicking her eggs around and you'll end up with addled eggs and no chicks at the end. Mine kicked all nesting stuff out every time I put it in. UNTIL CHICKS HATCHED. Then she didn't worry about it.After they started to hatch, you could gently put in some, wood shavings, rolled oats etc. (only $1 or No Name quick or rolled oats) etc. enough so the nest box isn't slippery for the chicks to get a hold on. Marigold will keep her eggs turned and tucked in under her until then. She looks like she's "on the job" and mother knows best. Great job so far!!

Nope, nobody really eats porridge here, but I could check the cupboard.

I got some pics of mum and dad Marigold wouldn't let me see the eggs, but as soon as I can, I will get pics of them, too. Sorry for the late pics, really should have got them earlier

Here is Dad.

Here is Mum.

 

And Skye again.

Here is a good one of Marigold.

Marigold is looking for something to eat.

Hi Ratsy, Great picture of Marigold, I wouldn't go worrying about adding nesting stuff now, If she starts getting stressed she'll go kicking her eggs around and you'll end up with addled eggs and no chicks at the end. Mine kicked all nesting stuff out every time I put it in. UNTIL CHICKS HATCHED. Then she didn't worry about it.After they started to hatch, you could gently put in some, wood shavings, rolled oats etc. (only $1 or No Name quick or rolled oats) etc. enough so the nest box isn't slippery for the chicks to get a hold on. Marigold will keep her eggs turned and tucked in under her until then. She looks like she's "on the job" and mother knows best. Great job so far!!

i agree with this

Thankyou. A fourth egg arrived today! I'm not allowed to candle the eggs. Marigold has been a good mother today, putting up with the heat!

Right on target, every two days.

Yep, right on schedule. Has she probably stopped laying?

Yep, right on schedule. Has she probably stopped laying?

What makes you think she might have stopped laying based on her fourth egg ? You will know when she has stopped as the every 2 days an egg will change and suddenly there wont be another.

No I'm not thinking she has stopped. Mum and Dad don't think she will lay more.

No I'm not thinking she has stopped. Mum and Dad don't think she will lay more.

I think she will..........average is 5 or more

 

 

 

You can candle and see if some are fertile right now. Each egg at around 5 days onwards will show red spidery veins if fertile. Dont handle them. Put a strong torchlight behind the egg ( in the nestbox ) facing forward to where youy are so you can see...............while the Mum is out of the box.

Edited February 3, 201015 yr by KAZ

Thanks, I do know about candling, but I'm not allowed to.

Thanks, I do know about candling, but I'm not allowed to.

 

Don't worry about candling then Ratsy, just keep check. I was shocked with my first time Mum's last year, one laid 8 a second one laid 9, they raised 7 and 5 chicks.So there could be more to come!!

okay, another one due today, maybe.

Grrr. It was a cold day today and she wouldn't get off her eggs, so i couldn't see if there was an extra little egg.

FIVE EGGS!!!!

"Egg"-citing!

I know!!

I wonder if she will lay more?

this is exiting new mate all is going well

Yeah, seems like it's going toooo well. I'm not sure she came out yesterday as it was colder than usual and just sat in there looking puffy and being fed by Skye. I do actually have a picture of some eggs but camera went bust on me. She came out once this morning at 7:00.

Don't worry that it is going too well, Ratzy. GB assured me that pet types do their job well, so just expect it to keep going along like clockwork. Don't expect a problem before one turns up. It looks good to me!