The Stolen Child, Part 2
Frizzie is happily ensconced in her broody house with her babies. The day after she stole the blue baby, one of the white hens hatched another blue baby. There was confusion as to which Mama claimed the little chicken child, as two girls had been using the same box to hatch her. Mrs. Chickendad took the new baby and one of the Mamas over to the broody house to see how the Mama would take care of it. Frizzie, of course, flew into a rage and swore at the other Mama, right in front of her children! She had had a temporary lapse in judgement, and soon settled down when she realized Other Mama did not wish to kidnap HER children. In fact, Other Mama was not interested in children at all, including her own.
Mrs. Chickendad swapped out the Other Mama for the Second Mama, who had much the same attitude. Frizzie, however, was thrilled to have another baby to look out for, and tucked the little one up under her breast with the other four. She was quite content and pretty soon she was showing the babies how to toddle about the broody house, eating and drinking and scratching in the wood shavings.
On Thursday, the Chickendads pushed the broody house out under the big maple tree and put the ramp up to the door. Frizzie needed a little help getting all of her children in the same place at the same time, but managed to lead them on a backyard adventure. She dug a bathing hole and showed them how to get filthy dirty. She showed them how to jump over the grass that was as tall as they are. She showed them how to hide under her when there was danger. Mrs. Chickendad was nearby weeding the flower beds, so there was not much danger, but they needed the practice.
It appears that no more babies will hatch, so Frizzies little family is complete. The other broody girls are still crammed in the nest boxes growling and acting cranky. Unless their attitudes improve, Mrs. Chickendad will have to give them an attitude adjustment. She has provided them with a new husband, Kenny the Dancer, in place of Scooter and his second-in-command. The girls have found the neck feathers on those two boys to be especially tasty, and they look like naked neck cochins, not a pretty sight. They are in rehab now until their looks improve, and Kenny has taken over rooster duties, with much enthusiasm, we might add.