Been a busy weekend. The turkey run is finally done! It was almost dark by the time I finished and got the turkeys situated. (They were NOT happy to be prevented from going to their usual night perch on the top of the coop.) I'll take some pics when it is light out tomorrow. It is such a relief getting them separated so that I hopefully wont have any more turkey on chicken attacks.
Speaking of which, my Brahma girl that was attacked now has both eyes back open and some feathers starting to come back in. I don't believe she will re-grow all her feathers and will have a bit of scarring, but I'm thinking she'll have a full recovery.
As a survivor, she has earned a name. We are calling her Ishtar after the Assyrian goddess of rebirth and second chances. Planning on re-introducing her to the flock tomorrow.
Now that the turkeys are out of the pen with the laying flock, I decided to let my mother and babies loose to join the flock. I had been wondering how long momma would keep on with the babies, and I got my answer. As soon as she was free, she started sparring with the other hens to determine her place in the pecking order, and never looked back at the chicks. They are now almost 8 weeks old, and were a bit distressed, but I think they will do fine. I had to gather them up and put them in the big girl coop once it got dark. I'm sure there will be some rough days ahead for them as they get slotted into the pecking order.
Still lots to do to get the flocks consolidated and the rest of the winter runs built, but I feel like a lot of progress was made. I'm very grateful for the nice weather today!