Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[goodinparts]

Last night was the first night of an integrated flock at the vicarage, so I wasn't thrilled that I had to be out all day today...The big girls were being a bit grumpy to the babies when it came to dining rights (despite 2 feeding stations, they were inclined to swear at the littlies if they caught them thinking of breakfast) so I was a bit nervous about leaving them all shut in the cube run together but there really wasn't an option....

I got home about 6.00 and went down to give them all some corn and a cuddle - and the 3 big girls were happily pecking about in the run...

No sign of the banties, but they have been putting themselves to bed quite early so I opened the pop hole.

No bantams.

I began to panic.

Had I somehow failed to shut them in after their brief early morning free ranging session?

Had they been eaten?

Were they tucked up in their old home, the go?

(But I was quite sure, really, that there had been 5 chickens in the cube when I left home this morning)

Had someone stolen them? And if so, why only the babies?

I was getting really upset, but thought I might as well collect the day's eggs anyway.....and opened the pop hole once again..Heard faint noise above me, and lo, perched on the partition between the .nesting and roosting areas and slightly squashed, even for tiny birds, were my 2 missing bantams.

Talk about RELIEVED

I had to lift both girls down for a cuddle and to check they were OK - did worry that they might have flown up there to escape bullying but they seemed to be fine - and at least I now know there is somewhere they can get to if the do need to escape....The hybrids could never fit up there in a million years.

 

Both the babies are quite keen on flying - one landed on my shoulder this morning, which was quite a surprise to us both...Does anyone know if this breed specially likes perching in high places, or were they just trying to frighten me? They certainly succeeded!

[Redwing]

You must have thought you were going quite mad!

 

Someone on here had a few chicks that used to sleep on the partiton - very cute!

[Plum]

Phew what a relief but honestly wouldn't have thought of them being on there. Bet they were hungry. Just pop them in your pocket next time.