MJ's little flock

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RoyalChick said:
She is looking good in that photo MJ ❤️❤️
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Thanks RC. I'm doing my best to follow Mark's instructions and I think it's serving her well. He didn't say anything about bringing Ivy in to keep her company or a bale of hay to keep her occupied, but I think it will prove to have been the right course of action in time.

It's lucky the house even has that sleepout! I think it's quite large enough, I guess 12 square metres.
 
It's going to reach a high of 19C today. That's 66F. The warmest day since Mary's surgery. I'd love to let them both out all day but I can't be home with them. They'd be vulnerable to hawks but safe from passing dogs now the gates are in place. I guess the hawks would have lots of baby mice and lizards to pick up at this time of year. I'm going to let them out. I'll be worried all day, but it'll be good for them both to be outside.

ETA well, that was eventful. No sooner was Ivy outside, she made a beeline for the funrun, wanting to be let in to use the nest. Fair enough. The inside nest isn't something any of the hens are used to. So I opened the pop door of the run. Janet dashed over and out before I could see where Ivy was. With a little encouragement, Ivy went in and hopped on the nest. After the important business of checking the pergola for snacks was concluded, Janet approached Mary who (dis)respectfully begged that Janet remove herself from Mary's personal space immediately. Janet did so, making a mental note to pass that message on to Peggy at the first opportunity. No doubt Peggy will in turn deliver it back to Mary. At this time, Mary is laying an egg under the thick bushes by the laundry. Jan is standing guard. Ivy and Peggy are in the run, having laid their eggs for the day. Peggy is wondering why she's not allowed out of the run.

So, when I get home from work, I'll entice Mary and Janet into the sleepout before letting Ivy and Peggy out for some foraging before dinner.
 
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Turned out it was Mary and Ivy out all day (Jan and Ivy did another quick switch before I left for work) and both of them followed me into the sleepout without any stress or question. I thought at least I'd need to offer a treat, but no, they were happy to return to their hay scattering. So that was much easier than I thought it would be and now Peggy and Jan are out of the run and enjoying a foraging session before dinner.
 
MaryJanet said:
Peggy took Mary's place long ago. Since Peggy got over her FLHS crisis, the pecking order has been Janet pecks Peggy who pecks Mary who pecks Janet. Ivy is off to the side.

So I don't think Peggy's attacks are about status. It's about being really angry.
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I'm still wondering if there is something driving this.

Anger is a human emotion and I try very to not use human emotions when looking to explain chicken behavior.

I feel like there should be some survival aspect to this. I just can't put my finger on it. How does attacking Mary better Peggy's chance of survival or survival of the tribe as a whole?

I'm going to keep thinking on it.
 
MaryJanet said:
These two are settling really well into the indoor lifestyle. The bale of lucerne really helped. They've been very preoccupied tearing it apart and kicking it all over and eating the tasty bits.

View attachment 3263824
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I really love this photo. You are so lucky to have a hen like Ivy for so many reasons. 💖
 
MaryJanet said:
Turned out it was Mary and Ivy out all day (Jan and Ivy did another quick switch before I left for work) and both of them followed me into the sleepout without any stress or question. I thought at least I'd need to offer a treat, but no, they were happy to return to their hay scattering. So that was much easier than I thought it would be and now Peggy and Jan are out of the run and enjoying a foraging session before dinner.
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Well that went splendidly! :clap:clap Well done MJ and the ladies!
 

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