The adventures of Barbara (BR)

[OHhappychicks]

MrsChickenDad, I am interested in your brooder system. I have 2 hens, each with one little fluffy butt, less than a week old, 1 porcelain banty with 3 little ones, about 2 wks old, and 4, six week old chicks that were hatched by a sweet little porcelain banty hen which disappeared along with a chick when the wind blew open the door in the hoop house, where she chose to hatch out her brood, about 2 weeks ago and something got her.

I have them all in separate pens. My question to you is, can you put them all in the same pen? I would like to know, if you don't mind, how your brooder house is set up? We have 2 hen houses. The larger houses my older hens (3-1yr. olds) and the other houses this years chicks, 2 1/2 - 3 months old. I tried to put the six week old chicks in with these chicks, but as 3 are bantams and 1 a speckled sussex, they are still pretty small and the older ones picked on them a little and wouldn't let them eat, so we fenced off a small section of the lot and put them in a large dog carrier. But alas, we had a thunderstorm pass thru today, and dumped a lot of rain and filled the carrier with water. Moved in a small dog house this eve. My DH built a nice but small chicken tractor for one of the hens with a baby, and it sets in the lot with the older hens. We pen the other hen and baby with chicken wire in the same lot as the older hens. At nite we let her go in the henhouse. She sleeps on the floor in the corner with her baby. So far, none of the older chicks bother them. The banty hen is in yet another small pen in the yard. It would be so much more convenient if we could have them all together. 6 pens is such a hassle!

Is it possible? This is our first experience with broodies. Just love your stories!! What a gift you have!

 

[maurerwerks]

where are you Barbara? we miss you

 

[specklesmom]

Having severe Barbara BR withdrawal symptoms.....Must hear about Barbara!!! What is happening in Barbara's world?! Save all who are suffering from SBW (Severe Barbara Withdrawal)!!

 

[MrsChickendad]

Missing!

The weather was beautiful for the Fourth of July cookout the Chickendads had planned for the family. They kept the girls away from the deck so they did not contribute to the decor. However, later in the afternoon, Mrs. Chickendad let Frizzie and her babies out of the hot broody coop so they could run and play in the cool grass. Mrs. Chickendad put an open cage under the maple tree with food and water, so Frizzie had somewhere safe to take her babies. The little chicken family looked sweet puttering around the yard and the guests seemed to enjoy watching them.

After a wonderful potluck meal, everyone sat back, swapped stories and supervised Chickenboy setting off a small batch of fireworks. The cochins all watched the fireworks from their coop door, and commented rudely on the particularly loud ones. Then the show was over, the cochins left the doorway and got ready for bed.

Mrs. Chickendad kept an eye of the Frizzie Family who were some distance away from the fireworks activity. They went on about their business, not paying attention to the lights and noise. Pretty soon, though, it was getting dark and everyone was returning to their roosts, including the guests.

Mrs. Chickendad went out to help Frizzie and her family back into their little coop, but they were nowhere to be found. No “buk buk buk” greeted Mrs. Chickendad as she called Frizzie. No chicks peeping. No Frizzie and babies. Oh, no!

The remaining guests fanned out across the property with flashlights searching for the missing chicken family. Still no Frizzie. Mrs. Chickendad circled the house and looked under every shrub and flower. No Frizzie. It was really dark by now, and Mrs. Chickendad’s heart was in her throat at the prospect of the little family outside and unprotected all night. So she did the only thing left to do—she prayed. If His eye is on the sparrow, certainly it could be on the chicken.

As she came back around the house, Mrs. Chickendad thought she heard a peep. Then another! Yes! The babies were peeping! Going toward the sound, she found Frizzie and her babies nestled down safely in between the bales of shavings sitting near Frizzie’s broody pen. Frizzie had gotten as close as she could to home and found a safe hiding place for her babies. Mrs. Chickendad said a “thank you” as she tucked Frizzie and her children into bed and gave them fresh water and feed. She also promised to be a better chicken mama.

 

[chickfan]

There could be no better chicken mama in the world! I wish I could be like you! And I'm so happy you found the little ones!
Lou Nell

 

[OHhappychicks]

What a happy ending! And HE cares about the small things in our lives! So thankful for you and the Frizzie Family!

 

[ChickiKat]

The stories of Barbara are fabulous......

 

[sewingca]

Wonderful story, MrsChickendad, so glad Mama and babies were safe. Frizzie is an excellent mom, isn't she?

 

[Sassafras]

What a pretty picture of the Frizzle Family. Can we get a new pic of Barbara sometime? Like all divas they need to have a little paparazzi once in a while.

 

[Audbun]

I was at the ChickenDad household the day that photo of the frizzle family was taken. It's always a fun place to visit! The cutest part was watching all the frizzle chicks take a dust bath together. Wish I had taken a video of it!