Sometimes you have to go with the flow. To avoid having to hunt down the eggs in various hidden places these "picky" layers have been using, he's set up some ground nesting boxes (OK, they're actually old plastic dishpans) and it seems that they have become quite popular and are used by multiple chickens to lay their eggs in a majority of time. Less hunting and more gathering! RW, Jr. is almost as smart as his dad. LOL
The picture above shows the dishpans full of eggs. Mrs. RW and I went out to gather the eggs because RW, Jr. was working late. We also needed to take some eggs out to Little "G" and the Plant Lady out at the farm. I spent most of my time working on roof repairs to fix a leak while out there. Thanks to CK and some excellent guest posts on Security Landscaping I was able to sneak away from the computer long enough to catch up on some much needed repairs.
Some more good news was rec'd when the Plant Lady told me she had several small cactus trees like I previously posted about ready for me whenever I wanted them. She also said they have real pretty purple blooms (might be a little more appealing to the little ladies out there when you guys are trying to convince your wife you need a few cactus trees). Adding a little more security and doing it for free is great!
Just hope the chickens decide they don't want to make a nest in the cactus or somebody else will have to gather them!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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7 comments:
Chickens are kind of strange all right. We have a pair of free range chickens which had escaped our chicken tractor (our fault - we lifted too high when shifting over and they beat feet for the horizon!) that nest on the ground as well. One does roost in a mesquite tree, then flys down in the morning.
I have an odd corner of the house, covered by some rebar, forming a slight shelter. One stays there regularly, and her eggs can be collected easily.
We don't take them all, taking only 1 -2 at a time so she doesn't realize the clutch underneath decreases while she is gone.
Stay with it.
On those cactus, remind the little lady that young prickly pear pads (nopalitos) are credited for having good cholesterol reducing qualities. Heart smart - that might help convince her, though helping her despine those pads would probably help a lot more, lol.
Great idea using those old washtubs! I'm gettin' tired of crawling under the coop to police up the eggs. I keep plastic eggs in the nests so it won't freak out the girls.
The Grill Sgt.
To: anonymous 7:36
Had a few of those ground nesters. Chickens can be kind of funny in their habits despite our best efforts.
Thanks.
RW
BTW, the true nopalitos don't have spines. i'll take some pics and post them.
To: The Grill Sgt.
I've used old golf balls and they seem to work pretty good and hold up well. Free for the picking around most any park that has a golf course.
Thanks.
RW
I think I know what you are talking about - young prickly pear pads have a soft curling spine that is very flexible? Or are you speaking of that species of cactus that do not have many spinas altotogether, we have a cactus like that in our backyard as well.
To: anonymous 11:58
I'm talking about the ones that have no spines (thorns) at all.
RW
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