I was walking outside the fence, near the compost pile, by a patch of thistle (yes we have weeds around). I saw what I thought was a dead chicken – just half of the back showing in the thistle patch. Oh no! But when I worked my way in and spread the thistles apart, there was one of our young Americana pullets, resolutely setting on a huge clutch of eggs.
This photo was taken after I pushed aside a bunch of the vegetation so she isn’t hidden now. She was the first one of this year’s Americanas to start laying, by a long shot. And this was a good, safe spot in amongst the thistles.
I picked her up and there were 20, count them, 20, eggs. Not only that, but there were chicks developing in them. This is not the time of year I want to be having babies running around.Many times I have found an egg on the ground in an odd spot, or a small clutch of eggs, and didn’t sell them because I was afraid they would not be good. Never have I cracked an egg open and had blood spots and developing embryo. So, I packed a dozen of these up and took them to market – they were so cute. I did warn the person who bought them that I hadn’t checked them and gave them the story about them. Later, I went to use the rest, and, uh oh! The customer did not come back the next week and complain, but I was prepared to give them two dozen free for that mistake.
Anyway, she is inside the fence now and laying her eggs in the nest box. At least I know she is a good layer.
