atsw Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Our next door neighbors recently purchased two new hens for their flock. One was accepted by the existing inhabitants almost right away, one was firmly rejected. So much so, it was in danger of loosing its life having suffered a viscous all-on attack. After that incident it was clear the poor hen (a Sussex Star) was never going to be accepted by the current inhabitants, so I offered to give her a home next door with our flock. It's only been 24hrs, but the hen is transformed . She's been accepted by my lot without any real problems at all. In fact, she has been going out of her way to be part of my flock. Far from keeping her distance, she's been getting up close and personal with all my girls and boys. Licquorish has taken a real shine to her, which is great to see, and is a self-appointed referee during the odd spats that have occurred while they were all Free Ranging yesterday and this morning. It's not just my flock she keen to be close to, she's really keen to be close to human company too. I was sitting on our garden bench watching over them all this morning and she jumped up from behind the bench and straight onto my shoulders! OH was on hand to take a picture! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Ahh! I'm glad she's settled in so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 How lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 That's a lovely outcome for everyone . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Nice to hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Awwww, what a sweetie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 It really shows how there really can be personality differences between chickens! She must be so pleased to be rescued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 It's been two weeks now, and today was a very peaceful day in the garden while they all Free Ranged together. My lot seem to have accepted Minty and tonight she went to bed with them all in the Eglu inside the WIR. Up until today I've been keeping her separate at night in her own coop while her wounds healed and feather re-grew. When I checked at 9:00pm she was tucked up with Bertie, and Licquorish was keeping his usual watch at the Eglu door . So far, so good. Here's a picture I took of her last weekend. Feather re-growth is looking good. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 That is lovely!, and also a beautiful hen. I also have two that are biding their time to be integrated with the existing flock, and choosing to roost in the trees outside at night meantime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Aww Andrew, she's the sad little girl who was on top of the cube when we visited isn't she? I'm so pleased she has a happy life ahead of her with you and your flock By the way...6 little movers and shakers are hopefully due to hatch early next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 Aww Andrew, she's the sad little girl who was on top of the cube when we visited isn't she? I'm so pleased she has a happy life ahead of her with you and your flock . Yes, that's the one. The folks next door were happy to hand her over as they had runs out of ideas of how to deal with the situation that had arisen within their flock. She is still quite timid around other hens, always expecting to be charged at or pecked (and sometimes that still happens of course, although not to the same extent as before of course), but generally my lot seem happy with the new arrival and she's certainly out of danger now. She also laid the most enormous egg on Thursday (83g, normally they are 53g!), so she must be a happy hen. By the way...6 little movers and shakers are hopefully due to hatch early next week Yes, I reckoned they must be due around Monday or Tuesday - I look forward to hearing about (and seeing ) what hatches out - keep me updated . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 That's a lovely story and a very pretty chicken of fate. I wish something like that would happen here as it is the only way I'd ever get a 'normal' hen past OH and I so long for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
