I mentioned that Sue and I were beginning to wonder if 'the girls' were in pre-laying mode.

On Saturday morning we were doing bits and pieces about the house when we both - separately - became aware of loud and unusual noises from the girls outside.

Helen (the grey one) was clucking, at high volume, continuously and Prudence (the brown one) was running about in an state of excitement or agitation.

We watched in - I don't quite know what - was it surprise? anxiety? expectation?

(Sue had been beginning to complain that my girls were 'useless livestock' and was instructing me to lock them in their run until they delivered! - Yes, she can be hard hearted!)

Anyway, I resolved that on Sunday, when I was due to clean-out their house, I should also put a bolt on the nesting-box door so that I could check for 'product' without having to remove and replace a screw.

........which I duly did.

And when I went down to let them out at first light this morning.....

.................I opened the new bolt - more to check that it functioned sweetly than in expectation.............

.............and this is what I found!

The excitement of it!

(I can't be sure but I think it is Prudence's, my favourite girl's, achievement!)