4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[gracefruit]

I got my first hens in July -- Toast and Featherbelle. They are lovely birds and have recently begun to lay. It was all very exciting -- little gifts in the nest box most days, and feeling like I had the most clever girls. I liked them very much, but I just didn't see them as pets. I'm a cat person, and the idea of cuddling a chicken, well, it seemed a bit odd. Neither of mine seemed particularly keen to be lifted up (they squawked, flapped, and ran if I tried to get them), and I was a bit nervous about holding them. So we kept a peaceful, respectful distance. I provided clean water and fresh food daily, and they gave me their lovely eggs.

 

Last Friday I collected two new girls -- Nudge (a wee grey hen) and Nella (a big, fluffy cream-coloured hen). Toast immediately rebelled and began walking around with her tail stuck straight up in the air (we call this mean tail) and yelling at her new flockmates. Two days ago, she began bullying Nudge badly -- biting, pecking, chasing -- and yesterday, feather pulling. Blood was drawn!

 

I saw Nudge run into the Eglu, so I closed the door over and opened the egg port to see if I could help her. I have no idea what came over me, but I looked at her, she looked at me, and I instinctively reached in and lifted her up. There was no kicking, flapping or struggling. I tucked her under my arm (a bit like a rugby ball) and gave her a little hug. She responded by putting her head into the crook of my arm and closing her eyes. She calmly let me clean and dress the wound (it turned out to be nothing more than a scratch) and was quite happy to be carried about.

 

This morning she saw me come out the back door and she ran into the Eglu again. I closed the door over, opened the egg port, and found her waiting for me in the nest box. I lifted her up, and we repeated the hug.

 

And now I am absolutely smitten with a chicken! Completely besotted. I guess it was bound to happen.

[quinlan]

Ah... thats such a lovely story, I feel a tad emotional now!

[madchickenlady]

They get everyone in the end!

[pistachio]

They are amazing creatures - so resilient yet fragile - so full of character. I've had mine since September and I'm in love with all 6 of them. I'm sure you know to keep an eye on any wounds - lots of threads about this - chickens tend to repeat bite once they've drawn blood. So glad you have fallen in love!!!

[dancing cloud]

Aaww! Nudge sounds lovely

 

My Daisy top-hen always gives off an air of not needing anyone/anything, but a few times a week she'll walk onto my knee when I'm sat on the bench, just for a cuddle and a chat - melts my heart every time

[welsh sarah]

ah how lovely

sarah

[gracefruit]

I think Nudge may be trying to have a chat, but she's probably saying 'put me down'. She's taken to running into the Eglu when she sees me. If I open the port door, she's waiting in the nest box. She went on a tour of our house yesterday.

[Topdollar]

Lovely story

[helenmb]

[josephine77]

That's lovely.

[hils78]

Bless her little fluffy knickers!

I have a very close bond with my Ozma-Apple (named by my DD!). She'll jump up & down infront of my until I pick her up then she happily almost purrs away. She's great = I'm already dreading the day she departs the world & she's not even 1 yet

[mostin]

They always get you in the end, so happy you've found you're special chicken, or should it be taht she found you.

 

My OH was very standofish with my girls untill Dolly came along and then as soon as he saw her his heart melted and she is his girl now .

 

Isn't it funny how different they all are. I can't believe I ever thought all chickens were alike .