My son has created a new addition to the coop. It’s about time the girls started laying eggs so he built a nest box for them. (Coop still needs painted.)
He hinged the top so he can reach in and gather the future bounty of eggs. In order to train them to use the box for their eggs, he placed three white golf balls in there. The girls don’t really like them in there. They are constantly trying to roll them out and around. You can tell by the array of black feathers, there has been some sort of activity going on.
It’s a good thing Tubby can’t fit.
No Boys Allowed, Tubby!
While I was taking pictures, the hens decided they were going to go outside. But Tubby had different plans and called them back into the coop. You can tell those are his hens!
He has now started to crow every morning. When my son first got him, he said that Cornish roosters don’t crow. Boy was he mistaken! It’s really cute, though. I have found myself getting up at 5:30 in the morning just so I can watch him crow. Silly, I know. The next trick would be for me to get my son up at that time in the morning to witness it also. I’ll keep you posted.
Kristina, how long do you think it will take for the hens to figure out the box is for laying eggs? Where do they lay them now? Maybe you can post a sound bite of Tubby’s crowing!
Hi Kris. I am not sure how long it will take for them to know what it’s for, or even if the golf balls will work. Haha! They are still too young to lay eggs, but it should be soon. I probably should get a video of Tubby crowing because that will probably be the only way my son gets to hear him. (He like to sleep in. lol)
Good luck with that whole getting your son up at 5:30 thing… 🙂 Roosters crowing gives me a sentimental little grin – I haven’t heard it in ages. I used to gather eggs – I was too short to reach most of the boxes and had to feel around on my tip-toes – and often found more than I bargained for – yuck! 🙁 There is nothing like fresh eggs, though – you’ll have to let us know when you get your first batch!!
That’s funny: “and often found more than I bargained for.” I know exactly what you mean. It’s a good thing this box is low to the ground and we can see in. lol
You obviously dont have too many neighours if Tubby is crowing that early!!
Top tip, when the hens start to lay, don’t put the newly laid warm eggs in your pocket and then bend over to smell a particularly beautiful flower… Took me ages to get 3 crushed eggs and shells out of my dressing gown pocket this morning 🙁
HaHaHa! Thanks for the tip, that’s really funny. I can see how that can happen.
Kristina, I like the nest box with the hinged top that your son made. How funny about the girls trying to kick out the golf balls, hope that trains them…LOL! Oh yes, good thing Tubby can’t fit, no boys allowed and he’s kind of bossy about his hens, isn’t he…LOL! With crowing every morning, I guess sleeping in is now out! Surprised though that it doesn’t wake up your son, he must be a very sound sleeper. It’s nice that you enjoy watching Tubby crow and I’d love to hear a sound bite too. 🙂
Thanks, Madilyn! Tubby is definitely bossy about the hens. It’s funny to watch them interact with each other. And yes, my son is a very sound sleeper. lol
That’s funny. Chickens definitely have their own way of doing things (mostly cute and funny.) I didn’t realize that they would have such personalities.