CHAPTER 37- A Flock Divided
As the days went by, the two groups became more separated. Yes, a fence separated them, but now they were separating themselves mentally. The biggest little rooster was having troubles talking to the girls. They were just different than him and the Ladies. He didnt have anything in common with the girls, except where they came from.
In the mornings, the humanlady brought out their warm yummy treats. The Ladies got their bowl first. As soon as the humanlady stepped out of the gate, the biggest little rooster would join in the feast. He did not need to call the Ladies to the bowl- they were always right there, jumping for the bowl before it was even put on the ground.
When he saw the Ladies get their bowl, little WeeMan would start calling the girls. They would stand on the other side of the fence, watching the Ladies eat. Sometimes they would forget there was a fence, and bump into it trying to get to the food. The biggest little rooster thought they were all a bit silly to be forgetting there was a fence.
When the girls got their bowl, little WeeMan would gather around it and make sure everyone was getting some. Hed keep his eyes and ears open also. He would only eat after some of the girls were done. Usually, they werent done. They just walked away to wipe the mushy stuff off their beaks. Little WeeMan didnt notice that. He just saw them walk away and assumed they were full.
The younger group had a run that had almost 4 times as much space per chicken as the Ladies run. So the Ladies were allowed to free range when the weather was good. Usually there was a girl or two running around also. Two were smart enough to hop the fence everyday.
The biggest little rooster tried to be nice to the girls. The Ladies were extremely jealous though, and would chase the girls away. If the girls got too close to the biggest little rooster, the Ladies would nip the girls tails. The biggest little rooster didnt want the girls to get hurt, but there wasnt much he could do about it. He just tried to distract the Ladies. Luckily, the girls were smart enough to run away and not challenge the Ladies.
One day, at dark, one of the girls went into the Ladies coop. She jumped on the roost and settled down to sleep. The humanlady didnt do head count till very late. She noticed the extra body, but because of darkness, she didnt remove the girl. She was going to remove the girl in the morning.
The next morning, the humanlady forgot. The biggest little rooster had a situation on his hands. The Ladies did not want to let the girl eat their food or drink their water, or even be in their pen. They kept chasing her. The biggest little rooster even chased her a few times to get her away from the Ladies beaks.
He kept the Ladies occupied with stories in order to allow the girl to get some food. Then he saw the girl go into the coop, and figured all might be well. Out of sight, out of mind, he hoped. But that wasnt happening. The girl was on the nest. The Ladies thought she might be harming their eggs. They ran into the coop. The biggest little rooster couldnt get in because one of the Ladies blocked the door. He heard awful sounds coming from inside.
He yelled a few times, and made the Ladies come outside. The girl ran out, with her head bleeding. Just then, the humanlady came out. She took one look at the girl, and ran inside. She came back with the humanguy, and one very scary white towel. The Ladies were still chasing the girl. Then the humans came into the run, and everyone was running around. That white towel was totally scary! They picked up the girl, and took her inside.
The biggest little rooster was sad. He was supposed to be flock leader, but couldnt keep his Ladies from hurting his girls. He couldn't believe the Ladies made his girl bleed.
They werent one big happy flock. They were 2 flocks, separated by a fence. The biggest little rooster wasnt too sure he could be a good flock leader for the younger group anymore. He was also a bit disappointed in the Ladies for their vicious attack. How could they do that?