Good for your rooster -- he's taking care of his ladies! This is not unusual behavior. Often when roosters have a treat, they make a big deal of showing it to the hens and letting them eat it. Every morning when I open up my coop I scatter scratch for the chickens. The rooster races to each pile of corn, makes a big deal about it until some hens come over, then races to the next pile. At first I thought he was trying to claim it for himself, but then I realized that he was pointing it out to them and doing the chicken happy dance to attract the hens. They think he's the BMOC because he finds the goodies and points them out. It's really cool to watch, isn't it? --Johanna

Hi, I too am in NW Georgia. Until yesterday I thought I would not be having a bluebird nest in the nestbox I have had up for years that has a video camera in it. Yesterday, a titmouse started to bring in materials but I was SHOCKED & VERY HAPPY to see the bluebirds going in and out of the box taking OUT the material. Just a minute ago, the titmouse came into the box and looked around and left. It came back again but so did the blues who took out more of the material. Last year Mama Blue took 13 days in March to build the nest and then she laid the first egg on April 1st. If that is going to be a repeat (that's a long time to make the nest), we are way behind schedule but it has been a much colder spring than usual. When it's egg laying time, Mama lays the egg in the morning and usually does not go into the box again that day. She will not sit on the nest for long periods of time (incubation) until all the eggs have been laid. Daddy may go in and check things but if it's egg laying time there, you won't see a lot of activity. Bluebird blessings Linda... NW Georgia (Acworth)

Ha... a certain symptom of the madness I think ;) Our fledges sure do eat suet, (got 8 of them buzzin' around here now! what a joy they are!) They eat suet nuggets and the shavings that pile up beneath the suet cages where the woodies and many other birds eat. Missy and Mr.B also feed the fledges nuggets and seemingly teach them to help themselves too: I believe I've seen the parents carry some to the nestlings also. They are soft and moist... easily broken into smaller bites. But every bluebird that's out of the nest usually gulps them down whole. Doesn't seem to have harmed anyone here yet. Kenn :)

Nina, personally I do NOT think you are crazy, and know that Janie IS, but I have never witnessed this behavior in a fledgling either. Sounds to me like she is extremely fond of those mealies and doesn't plan to share! Hope all is well--by the way, I put grape jelly in my new oriole feeder and, though I haven't actually seen them come TO the feeder, I have spotted a couple in the trees at the edge of our property. Hopefully I can get them to the deck where I can actually get a good look! Kathy P.S. The 2009 NABS convention is being held in Gettysburg, PA (don't recall the exact date) which is only about an hour or so from here. Keep that in mind, okay?