We lost 7 of 8 birds this spring to coyotes. Since we had one bird Sweet Pea left to herself, we decided to get three pullets for companions for her. We went to get the birds, and noticed that one didn't want to go with us, as she kept popping her head out of the box and making little growls noises (It was funny). We finally get the birds home, and we put them in the coop with Sweet Pea..who was not too thrilled with the invaders into her house. So, we go to check on the new birds that evening, and found that all three hopped up into one of the highest laying boxes and were hiding in there together. Then, the same bird with the growl decided that she was going to be queen of the coop, and kept going to the perch where Sweet Pea was to sit by her and knock her off the perch! Sweet Pea kept giving her an old fashioned pecking on the head. We took her (Ms. Growler) off the perch each time to get away from Sweet Pea, and she kept running back, jumping on the perch and attempting to push Sweet Pea off again! It was hilarious! Finally she gave up and sat on the bar of the laying box. We decided that an appropriate name for the new bird is Pugnacious, or Puggy for short--with the definition being "1. Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight. 2. Having the appearance of a willing fighter."
