Nesting Update

Clover our female turkey has finally "gone broody" (that means she is a sitting on her eggs). It only took her FOREVER to pick a spot! The boys are lonely, wandering around aimlessly, chirping for clover. Every now and then you can hear them outside her nest cooing to her. Once again I'm amazed at how they communicate and care for one another. When they are not cooing or wandering aimlessly, they are following me around. If I stop fast, I have a new butt ornament.

Petunia our female Muscovy duck has been sitting for 24 days. She has only 9 more to go, Muscovy eggs take longer to hatch then regular duck eggs. During this very stressful time for Petunia I have supplemented her diet with special ducky treats. Every morning and evening I whip up a tomato, apple and grain omlet with herbs and greens to help keep her strength up. While a Muscovy hen is "brooding" her eggs, they only leave the nest once a day. During that very short trip off the nest they have to drink, eat and do a few other toiletries. It is very important to make sure the hens have a supply of food and water very close to them.

Petunia has taken this treat thing one step further, she now begs for them. If I'm not fast enough doing chores, she starts squeaking, tapping her beak on her food bowl edge. Then she will only eat her treat out of my fingers, squeaking in between bites as if to tell me how good it is. Muscovy ducks are not the type to be "hand fed", more like take your hand off and eat it.

Yes I do try to give Clover special treats also but I have to say, I don't think she gets the idea. Some birds are a little smarter than others.

Lucy our little tiny red Cochin Bantam has also finally gone broody. She is in a 5 gallon pail on the work bench in our barn. She picked out the spot all by herself, sneaking in the cat door on the backside of the barn. Lucy is a very serious egg sitter. She stares blankly into space not moving a muscle on her eggs but she even understands to eat the special treats.