nesting
nesting on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 6 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on nesting in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around nesting, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
Chicken (the pigeon) did NOT want to be involved in today’s egg collection but I can’t let her hatch
Today’s egg collection presented a…spirited disagreement. Chicken, our resident pigeon-hearted hen, made it abundantly clear she had absolutely no desire to participate. Honestly, who can blame her? Wrangling chickens can be a bit of fowl play! But a chicken’s gotta do what a chicken’s gotta do, and I can't let her hatch a plan to avoid duty. It's all part of the cluck-tastic chaos of running Peckington Square Chicken City. If you're curious about how I keep track of which hen is responsible for each egg, you might enjoy our article, "Here’s how I know which chicken laid each egg I collect!" Join us for the 24/7 livestream and see the feathered frenzy for yourself.
The flock investigates the tiny, barely audible from outside cheeps from the chick that Canary just hatched in her crate inside the workshop.
The workshop has become quite the cluck-tastic maternity ward! Our feathered friends possess surprisingly acute hearing, and the entire flock has gathered on the deck, patiently awaiting news of Canary’s newly hatched chick. The tiny cheeps, barely audible from outside, have captivated everyone – it’s a genuine moment of fowl play! We’re keeping a close watch, because let's be honest, even seasoned chicken enthusiasts experience a flutter of anticipation (and maybe a touch of "chickening out" nervousness) when new life arrives. For a deeper dive into egg-laying adventures, check out our recent article, "TJ laid an egg, straight into the incubator it goes." Stay tuned for updates as this little one makes its debut!
TJ laid an egg, straight into the incubator it goes
## TJ's Big Moment: A Straight-From-the-Hen Egg! Cluck-tastic news, folks! TJ, one of our feathered friends, has delivered a beautiful, straight egg – and it’s headed directly into the incubator! A perfect egg is always egg-citing, and we’re eagerly anticipating the potential for some new additions to the flock. A huge thanks to /u/SatanikRaccoon for sharing this delightful moment with us. Want to learn more about what makes our chickens so special? Check out our "Compilation of my favorite Peewee clips and explanation why his tail is pink :) (sound!)" for a deeper dive into our flock's personalities. Stay tuned for updates as this little egg’s journey unfolds!
Will nonbroody hens look after new chicks?
## Will Nonbroody Hens Look After New Chicks? The age-old question: can a hen who *isn’t* a natural mother offer a helping wing to a clutch of newly hatched chicks? The short answer? It's complicated, but often surprisingly possible! While a broody hen is the gold standard for chick rearing, many nonbroody hens can exhibit surprising maternal instincts. Success hinges on careful introduction and a bit of luck. We've ranked the likelihood of acceptance from low to high, and included tips to increase your chances. Dealing with a chick that's not moving? You might find some helpful insights in our article, "Baby chick help," which addresses similar concerns. Ultimately, understanding chicken behavior is key to happy, healthy flocks!
I put shelf liner down in my incubator and now my eggs have weird marks on them
Oh dear, those lumpy egg impressions are a bit unsettling, aren't they? It sounds like you stumbled into a bit of *fowl play* with that shelf liner! While seemingly a clever way to prevent egg-rolling, certain shelf liner materials can react with the eggs, leaving those marks—and potentially impacting humidity levels critical for proper development. It’s best to ditch the liner; manually turning the eggs, though a bit trickier, is the safer route. Don't chickening out on the manual turning! It's a small price to pay for healthy chicks. Speaking of chicken behavior, if you're also dealing with a feathered friend who enjoys blocking doorways, you might find some relatable insights in our article, “Ginger, the Great Door Blocker.”
Chicks VS Grown(ish)
## Surprise! Tiny New Arrivals: Chicks vs. Grown(ish) A delightful, and slightly chaotic, twist has unfolded for /u/MoistYogurtcloset929! Their broody hen surprised them with a clutch of adorable chicks, creating a charming contrast with their existing flock. Witness the “Chicks vs. Grown(ish)” dynamic as these fluffy newcomers navigate life alongside their larger, more experienced feathered friends. It’s a cluck-tastic scene of miniature mayhem and burgeoning friendships! This unexpected hatch raises all sorts of questions about integration and growth – a topic we explore further in "My most beautiful grow out!", which details one user's successful silkie cross. Join the conversation and share your own experiences with surprise hatches and growing flocks!