The adventures of Barbara (BR)

[ginger c.]

wow what a great Mama!

 

[sewingca]

Frizzie is absolutely adorable!

Welcome to mamahood, Frizzie!

 

[Justuschicks]

Way to go Frizzie!!!!!

 

[MrsChickendad]

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 Frizzie’s 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.

 

[Sassafras]

What breed is Kenny?

 

[Justuschicks]

Hahaha! Swearing in front of their children. Oh the poor chicky ears!

 

[MrsChickendad]

Quote:
Kenny is a bantam white cochin. Here is a photo from last fall; he was about 5 months old.

 

[specklesmom]

What lucky chickies to have such a devoted Mama!! More photos, please!! LOVE all your stories, Mrs. Chickendad and love wearing my Barbara Big Butt shirt! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

 

[sewingca]

Such a good story! Just now my little bantam Shimmer is sitting on four eggs. I check to be sure that there are four, not five or six. When I do, Shimmer pecks me vigorously. Of course, I would peck a large hand reaching up under my tummy also! Shimmer also uses "fowl" language!

 

[MrsChickendad]

Frizzabella Has the Last Word

Mrs. Chickendad spent all day Saturday weeding flower beds. The Chickie Girls came and helped spread dirt around so Mrs. Chickendad would be sure to find all the little weeds. Every now and then one of them would find a worm and would gobble it up. Mrs. Chickendad found lots of worms as well, but she gave hers to the Chickie Girls because they are not on her diet. . . .ever. . . Tomorrow is mulch day, but the Chickie Girls will probably not be allowed to help with that.

Meanwhile Frizzie and her 5 babies, including the 2 stolen ones, were busily investigating the yard. Frizzie dug a few more bath holes and the babies tried them out. They attracted the attention of Rocky, the head bantam Plymouth Rock. He was mostly curious and did not try to attack the frizzle family, but Mrs. Chickendad kept an eye on him anyway as he has no experience with chicken children. Frizzie’s two bio-babies appear to be frizzled also, not like their daddy, Rusty, who is smooth feathered. Rusty is not quite buff and not quite red, so it will be interesting to see what color the babies turn out to be. It is also possible that Rusty is his own children’s brother.

Chickendad made a discovery as he was doing chicken chores. Frizzabella was on the floor of the Cochin coop growling at everyone who even chanced to look at her. As he watched, a little yellow head popped out from under Frizzabella’s wing. Frizzabella had become a mother! Apparently she had second thoughts regarding her original disdain of motherhood, and had stayed on the nest to hatch the last egg. Frizzie was NOT going to steal this one!

Here is Frizzabella before motherhood and molt: