One of the big girls in the coop was a bad chicken this morning. Someone knocked over the crate I am using to block the entrance to the tote the littles sleep in. I go out to let the big girls out and the littles are running around with them. Trampy Judy is in the coop and half the time she should be called Pecky Judy as she is a terror on the roost. I open the door and there is no helping it, the littles rush out with the big girls and they scatter. I have littles in the stalls, down by the creek and Julio runs straight to Randy. Let's give props to Randy here, he completely ignored the rude Julio. Little man, the way to introduce yourself to the rooster for the first time is not run up and chest bump him. I rescued Julio first, Randy was good but he has never interacted with the chicks without a barrier present, I'm not pushing my luck. I then herded 4 of the silkies out of the stalls and back to the coop. The 2 down at the creek, they gave me trouble. Their first real taste of freedom and they were not ready to give it up. I chased them up and down the creek bank and around the yard a few times before I cornered them by the building. I'm still in my pajama's mind you, lets once again reinforce for the neighbors I am the crazy chicken lady.
The message was received though, they are ready for more time outside the coop. I will soon oblige them. First every single one needs a crest trimming. Their crests are already big enough that I cannot see their eye's clearly, so therefore they cannot see properly. I cannot trim them safely yet though, they each have crests full of pin feathers that I must not cut.