The situation between Cillin and his son Treacle isn't getting any better.
I've been watching with interest which hens are prepared to spend their time with Cillin. Yesterday Mel came around in the morning before I had changed Cillin's foot pad. Mel laid an egg in the yellow maternity unit and came back into the house. Cillin had not ventured outside by then. The two of them went up to the sheep field together and there they both stayed for the rest of the morning and early afternoon. Eventually Mel made her way down to join the rest. I didn't see her do it so I don't know what the circumstances were.
This morning Fudge came to lay an egg. Treacle escorted her most of the way and Fudge found Cillin in the house. Cillin did the nest box guard duty as Fudge laid her egg. I expected Fudge to return to the tribe and Treacle. She didn't. She spent at least three hours with Cillin in the house and only returned to the tribe when I threw Cillin out so he could get a bit of exercise.
None of the other hens have made a point of staying with Cillin. A thought struck me; both Mel and Fudge have had chicks with Cillin. None of the others have. Tackle does mostly follow her mother Fudge and isn't a fan of Treacle in general.
Anyway, Cillin and Fudge.
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