The weekend was sunny and warm, perfect weather for thier first days in their new house and run. The chicklets really liked their new home. There was alot of space to run and flap their wings.
By the end of the weekend, the chicklets were getting very used to Mamma D. Even when she stood up, ( which she did often, her knees and legs just can't take the squatting down like they used to), they didn't get startled. Every time Mamma D. came into the run, she would bend down and call them. Hardy and McScreamy were normally the first ones out, followed by Laurel. VonSneaky and SS were a little nervous about coming out. Many times VonSneaky ended up staying inside, looking out at the others running around.
When there was a loud sound, they all took off running for the coop. At first, they'd run all the way to the back corner of the coop and wait a few minutes before venturing out again. Hardy was usually the first one out, and the last one in. When something scared them, he let the little ones get inside first. After everyone was safely inside, he'd peek out, and slowly step out.
The chicklets were more adventurous when Mamma D. was in the run with them. Mamma D. kept moving backwards, and calling the chicklets, taking them further from their coop. McScreamy thought the deck was a runway- he would run and take off flying. Laurel though it looked like a fun game, so she started playing airplane also. Even SS joined in. VonSneaky was too timid to play airplane, and Hardy- well, Hardy had a tough tme getting his bigg butt off the ground.
Early Sunday morning, Mamma D. came into the run. She had something called "treat". She crumbled the treat on the ground, and pointed to it. Laurel, Hardy and McScreamy came running out. Mscreamy found a bigger piece of treat and took off running with it. Laurel and Hardy were right there trying to steal it. Mscreamy thought of running into the coop, but SS and VonSneaky were blocking the door.
It was alot like a football game, where the ball was anything that looked like it could be edible, and the goal was inside their mouths. Even the most seasoned pro football player would be jealous of the moves the chicklets had. They could duck and dodge and side-step, and had better moves than football pros who had worked for years and years.
They were in and out all day, worse than little human kids. But they sure were having alot of fun, and they got along very well with each other.
Hardy noticed the mommies and the girls. He thought they were beautiful, and understood how his daddy could fall in love with them. He was very brave, and wandered to the side of the run that connected with the girls' run. He was smart enough to not get right next to the fence, but he was ony a few inches away, staring at the Girls, who were lined up against the fence staring back at him. He tried standing tall and looking big. They sure were pretty.
It may not have been much, but that was Hardy's first adventure. Going to the farthest corner of the run- which was quite a distance for such a little guy- and facing the big girls. And he only flinched once!