Where's Chic

That's our girl! In her nest. What's going on? I was so worried this morning. Ken was out roaming their little yard, but Chic was nowhere to be found. Had I been lax in my duties. I only skipped the one night. Last night. I got home late from my class. I figured all was well, so I didn't go out to the coop to check on them. Where is she? Did some vile creature come and take her and leave us with Ken's ego? I peeked in the back door. Nothing. No movement. No little cluck, cluck, clucks. Ok, I'm starting to panic. What the heck has happened to her? I try to peek in the front door and Ken starts jumping at me. Rotten rooster. Calm down bird! I'm looking for Chic. He jumps at me again. I put up my dukes and inform I'm ready when he is. I catch a peek through the front door and see a splotch of grey back there by the nests. Relief! She must be staying warm in her cozy little nest. I ran into the house to grab my camera, and when I got back she was ready for her photo op.

Is It Fluffy Enough

Chic's work has left a definite divet in the center of her nest

I ran back in the house this morning to grab my camera because Chic has made obvious changes  to her nest. She has been comfi-fying. Yea. I think we have finally settled on somewhat of a compromised position. This makes gathering eggs really easy for me.

I don't know if she is looking to have that wood surface beneath her hiney on purpose or if she just ran out of fluff. But I went ahead and added some more wood shavings around the edges and a little in the divet. Maybe I can build it up gradually, and end up with a deep seated comfortable nest. Well what I would call a comfortable nest. It may not be what Chic has in mind at all.
My way of thinking is far from the mind of Chic. And if the nest placement issue hasn't been my biggest clue, what has?

Chic's nest after I added more fluff

Finally! Success

Chic's nest with golf ball decoy.

Ok Chic. Thanks for the compromise. I found today's egg in the old nest. And she had pushed all the straw and wood shavings out so she could sit on the hard wood. Go figure. At least it was in a nest this time.

Chics Comfy Nest

Kitty litter bucket with wood shavings

 Just to update the previous post, here are some more pictures. The bedding is aspen wood shavings. I left some golf balls in the nest hoping Chic would think they are eggs, and  she should leave some more eggs with those.

Old nest with straw, shavings and golf ball decoy.

I also put some shavings on top of the straw in the old nest. And I added the golf balls. Chic N Ken were in the coop checking things out when I left just a few minutes ago from taking these pictures. I've got my fingers crossed.

Nest-ed Developement

This morning I went out to the kids place to mess around with the "new" nest. My efforts included putting two pieces of firewood logs on either side of the nest so Chic wouldn't be able to sit in the void near the roof and floor adjunct as she has become accustomed to doing. I mean if she wants to lay her eggs in that corner, she is going to have to compromise and at least leave them in the "nest". It's a long reach with tongs. This way I can pull the nest forward and back. To continue, with the addition of the logs, came the bonus of a much more stable nest. It no longer moves or rocks from side to side. I also replaced the straw bedding with Aspen Wood shavings. Hopefully Chic will view this change as a good thing and find her home is getting more and more comfy.

Ken of course came in looking for the Queen. But boo-hoo for him, it's just little ol' me messing around with his coop. He didn't stick around for a photo session, but I did get this one shot. I really think he misses her. . .

Found One!

Found an egg yesterday hiding down in the straw. Is it one that has been MIA, or was it laid today? Apparently, Chic was just taking a break. And who can blame her. I wouldn't want to have a baby everyday either. So, I guess the mystery is solved. No egg today. I rethought the nesting box and built a new one out of a tidy cat kitty litter bucket. I also cut the straw into bits. What I won't do for the comfort of our Chic. Cut it into bits in hopes the straw would seem softer, more cozy.

Bird Bath

Today during the kids free range time, I discovered the bird bath. It was at first just a small hole they had dug and frequented everyday while looking for bugs. Now it seems to have become the favorite place for the daily dirty bath. Right between the Geranium and the Hydrangea. The hole isn't huge. Just big enough for Ken and his ego. And I suppose Chic gets her bath before Ken gets it all dirty. I'm glad they are happy with the bathing area. I wish the girl would figure out that she has a nest to put her dainty eggs in. And I am happy to be getting cute little eggs again. Yes. I found another egg today. Woot! And the Queen of Everything found one yesterday. I plan on making some home made bread while Nik is away picking pumpkins tomorrow. So I will use some eggs in that for sure.

Queen Of Everything

Uh. . . Queen

Queen of Everything

How dare you jump at my head! Especially when my back is turned. You may rule the roost Ken, but I am the Queen of Everything! And I will carry you, and make you sit on my lap.

Her Majesty and her Subjects

NO Egg

Well keep looking. . . I'm sure they're here somewhere.

Ok so now it's been three days. NO egg. NONE. Hmmm. What the heck? I've looked everywhere. I don't think she has found a hidey place. It's a small run without a lot of nooks or crannies. I've read about folks finding multiple eggs in some spot they would never have looked at had they not come upon them accidentally. I guess it's back to the internet and more research. Anyone know anything about chic N egg laying? If you find a site with the answers send me a link. Please!

Not Greatful At All

 

 It's been a few days since my last post because Nik and I have been going back and forth to Seattle selling Sweet Dreams and other yummy fresh produce. And while we were trekking across the state, Ken was honing his feisty attitude. Now it seems he is aggressive to everyone, except Nae. Nana has even tried getting into his favor by giving him worms. But he is not greatful. Not greatful at all. He even jumped at her head when she had her back turned. She was trying to get them some scratch out of the shed. She turned to scoop some out of the bag and. . . Ken jumped at her when her back was turned. Rotten Rooster!