Don’t you just feel like smiling when the sunshine’s and the air smells so fresh and clean? That’s just how I feel today, there still a nip in the air but the joy of seeing the sun lifts my heart and makes me feel so good. Spring is surely on its way.
The boys are strutting their stuff like young costermongers selling their wares in Petticoat Lane on a Sunday morning. Each crow is like the shout of “Fresh ripe tomatoes!” They are such cheeky boys dancing around the girls and they try their luck with every girl. Cooing and making the most wonderful sounds in the back of their throats bringing gifts of tasty food or titbits, love is so divine. Brahmas are such big birds but very gentle, the cock bird is no dandy but a true gentleman. Wooing his ladies, treating each one as if she were the love of his life (well for this season anyway) some of our young men have been known to sit with their lady loves while they lay their eggs. Last year one went ever further and took on the role of mother when his Lady had enough of hatching eggs and chicks, He took over and raised the brood until they were ready to go out on their own.
I do find that Brahmas like to stay in particular groups – they make friends and family and don’t always do well if moved. Everyone has a role to play – one bird is the look out for any danger that maybe lurking, another tells everyone when food has arrived, one or two may be egg layers or look after young, and one is top boss. It can be a he or a she but that’s the one who keeps everyone in line in the pecking order. I would even go as far to say they pine for lost friends and family, feel displaced, get depressed, feel lost and alone ( it can take quite some time to settle and start laying again, sometimes a whole season). Don’t despair if you have recently brought in new hens – they can and do get over it but it takes time.
So the time for laying and hatching is upon us, we had our first lot hatch out on the 22nd of Feb and we have been hatching ever since, it’s so wonderful to see each new life, all welcome here.
R.I.P Archie 25/03/2007 to 11/03/2013 – we lost our much beloved Archie (boy cat) to Lymphoma this week, we have been so sad. A very gentle and loving boy who will be missed by us all. xxx
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