Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Curious Case of the Siamese Chickens

When I went out to the chicken coop this morning with a big bowl of strawberry Greek yogurt, I expected my usual greeting from my three adoring hens. But instead, Clementine was the only one who shot out of the coop to greet me and go beak-first into the yogurt. Maggie and Sookie were AWOL.

As you may have read here before, although we have two nest boxes, only one is deemed worthy. So logic dictated that one chicken might be laying an egg, but that didn't explain two absences. And especially not after I sang my awesome "chiiiiiiiiick chick chick chick chick" song that always causes them to bust out of their coop with feathers flying.

Strange, for sure.

I decided to open up the nest box to see who was laying an egg.

I found this.


Two chicken butts in one nest.

And from the looks of it, both trying to lay an egg at the exact same time.

I decided to go around front to get a bird's eye view of this oddity.


Yup. That right there is two chickens in one nest both laying eggs at the same time. I guess when you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

Sookie looked irritated with the whole experience. She kept checking behind Maggie to see if she was finished.


The best part is that there is a vacant nest right next to them.


But chickens are fickle things. They rarely make sense, but that's why I like them.

10 comments:

meemsnyc said...

OMG, that is so cute! LOL. It's funny how they both have to be in the same nest!

Ribbit said...

HA! Can't you hear them.
"Scoot over."
"No, You scoot over."
"I was here first, chickie."
"I know you are, but what am I?"

Unknown said...

There's that female hormonal thang goin' on! Guess it just happens everywhere! LOL Hilarious!

Stefaneener said...

Yep, ours all use one of four. Occasionally someone will use another one, but I bet only when three hens are already in the primary nest.

Carla said...

That is a full nest! I so wish I had room for chickens. We do have two neighbors that have chickens and the cutest coops!

You have some pretty hens there.

Carla

Annie*s Granny said...

I never, ever thought I'd say chickens are cute. Your chickens are cute. And Clementine still has the cutest butt I ever did see.

daisy g said...

It's way too hot to be sharing a roost!

Stephanie Suesan Smith, Ph.D. said...

Who says old bitty is a cliche? Chickens are stubborn about their place in the pecking order, just like humans. I like chickens, but can't seem to varmit proof my coop, so do not have any right now.

Cheryl said...

It's kind of nice how they "go" in the same place. I'm sure it wouldn't be fun having eggs all over the place.

Jamie said...

So funny!!! Unfortunately here in Dhuland, my Edith has gone broody again... only a month after the last time. Ugh!! And Geraldine's on strike, not brooding, but not laying either. We're down to one egg a day. Naughty chickens!!

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