I have two black marans setting eggs.
Each hen was in a separate box, sitting on her own clutch of eggs. There are other boxes for the other hens to lay eggs in, too.
I haven’t been finding eggs in the other nests lately, and I suspect there’s a snake in the henhouse somewhere (again).
Suddenly, both hens are on the same nest. Nothing but feathers are left in the box the usurper once occupied.
No eggs in the vacated nest.
I checked underneath both hens.
No eggs under the usurper, who sat in front.
4 eggs under the hen toward the back. That was yesterday evening.
This morning, both hens are still on the same nest.
I checked underneath again.
4 eggs under the usurper.
None under the hen in the back.
What is going on here?
Is one hen kidnapping the other hen’s eggs? Does she give them back the next day?
I’ll have to keep checking. This is social activity I didn’t know about and am still learning, apparently.
About the voice behind this blog, Madison Woods
I'm a creative old soul living way off the beaten path with my husband in the wild Ozark Mountains. Besides homesteading, growing plants & making crafty things and newsletters, I write books and stories. My rural fantasy fiction, written under the pen name, Ima Erthwitch, usually takes place in a much altered Ozarks.
Ways You Can Support Wild Ozark
- Spread the Word
Share this post or tell a friend about my website. "From little acorns do mighty oaks grow." A little thing like sharing could start momentum! This is a free and tremendously powerful way to help.
- Buy a Book
See all of my books here:
Nonfiction: Madison Woods Amazon Author's Page.
Fiction: Ima Erthwitch Amazon Author's Page. - Shop at our Nature Boutique
Unique gifts, books, and information for the nature lovers in your life. Adding more items as time allows: Wild Ozark Nature Boutique.
- Become a Patron
A small monthly stipend of even $1 from enough supporters will help me continue the educational outreach and construction of habitat gardens. More information here: https://www.patreon.com/wildozark
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program; an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Thank you for reading and/or participating in this Wild Ozark community! ~ Madison Woods
