Collette has just laid an egg. Hens tend to do most of their egg laying in the morning and early afternoon. Is she a sitter or a walker? After laying an egg, hens often shift the egg into position with their beaks. Then they either sit down to spend some bonding time with the egg, or they walk away. This morning, Collette was a walker.

In the nest next to her, Buttercup is sitting on her eggs. In about two more weeks, she should have a clutch of chicks to tend. She seems annoyed that I’m taking her picture this morning. She’d probably be pissed if she knew I was going to post her photo online. Is it animal cruelty to post photos of animals online without getting their permission? The more technical we become, the more moral dilemmas we have to slice.