Very, very low pecking order broody juvenile to be reintroduced back into flock

[chickengrrl82]

My cousin brooded a pile of chicks for both of us and when I was time to take the 7 or 8 that were mine she gave me a young bantam pullet, a cute little d'Uccle, that was the very bottom of the pecking order in her flock. Always ostracized and picked on and left out in the cold literally on outside roosts only. I integrated her with the younguns and did a look, don't touch with the rest of my flock. Over about 5 or 6 months the d'Uccle blossomed. She had her own littles flock so she wasn't alone anymore, she learned to "chicken" with the youngsters and now a full year later she's risen to upper middle of the pecking order, is sweet to hens under her and is a great little layer. I think her having her own crew for a while really helped her finally "get it".

This is perfect! I called it chicken remedial school, but in some ways Miss Madge is beyond her time and in other ways she needs to catch up! She’s an adorable personality and hen. I could see her being a good momma and, who knows? Maybe a relative flock leader since she’s got 5 chicks now who know her and will be in there as “look but don’t touch” for a month minimum, I’d say. 1-3 ideally! Even longer if I can.

But she just puffed up as much as she could to accommodate the chicks and I’d like to think everyone can thrive outside in the coop sooner than later!!

ah, that’s the picture 1-2 days in where she just decided, “Hey, I guess I’m a Mom now even though I haven’t even laid an egg?...”

I guess looking back it looks like she was going through her first molt and was just fully feathering out herself.

 

[chickengrrl82]

Wow! Merry Christmas
First two eggs from Elizabeth

And some fun pictures of the apple of my eye: Margaret. Happy Chickmas!!


I actually just put her (Margaret) and the chicks outside in the indoor coop just now without the container since it’s a warm night and, while it’s a little anxiety provoking, Elizabeth got snuggled by me and had some lavender essential oil under her wings to calm down.

She was inside with me for a bit, too, but is such a big girl now.

Our little roo mounted Margaret less than a minute of her being in there while I collected the chicks! She was sitting next to him on the perch when I got back. I guess they like each other!

She was so happy to see the chicks and hopped down to nestle all of them under her wings after some well-deserved worms and chicken food + grit.

The rooster was very protective of everyone and leaned down to say “hello”. One of the chicks pecked him, but then stood next to him proudly. She’s got spunk!

Maybe she will do well after all )