Broody Mama took great care of her two chicks, keeping them warm and cozy at night, finally even on the roost with the big girls. Well, the big girls decided if the roost was going to have bossy Mama and the little ones, they would go over and sleep (and poop) on the top surface of the nest boxes. Then, after all that protection, Mama just cut them loose. It was when they were five weeks old. Then the other big girls started chasing them and trying to peck them.
I got them their own little coop, which I have to wrap with windproof and waterproof stuff due to weather, and they have a fenced in area within the larger chicken run. The big girls were disappointed not to be able to bother them anymore, but they and I can breathe easier. I think that by the time they are full grown things will be fine. But I only have four adult girls and the two six week olds. So I got three more baby barred rocks, in the brooder in the basement.
Just to make it interesting, Kinky Freebird has been hanging around in everyone's favorite nest box, screeching at me and the other girls for several hours every day. Today I found feathers, so she has been plucking...and so far, there are only three eggs today. I wonder...maybe she could raise the little barred rocks. But maybe not, she hasn't sat for real, and might notice too short a hatching time...
