Goat did just fine, cranky as she was, to go back to the flock. Charlotte - the more calm and less dramatic broody, did not. The last two nights she didn't go to the coop to roost and instead stood by the back gate in the dark close to the garage. I picked her up and put her in the coop but in the morning when I let them out she went straight to the gate. Two days of this and I caved tonight. I put her back with her chicks. She is SO HAPPY! She gave them food, clucked, tucked them (big as they are) under her, sat down when two of them tried to climb on her back - there is only room for one now. I feel SO bad for taking her away from her babies too soon!!! I gave them a little oatmeal w/yogurt and she took a mouthful and passed it around to her babies. She's in heaven now. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 60 degrees & sunny so I'll let her take them out in the small fenced area away from the others. I'll let her tell me when she thinks they're ready to be away from her. In this pen she can fly up and get away from them if she wants a break. I need to listen to my chickens.
I Caved.
You may have caved but you have become my hero...I have always said they will teach us if were willing to become students...You have just proved you are indeed a great and sensitive owner of feathered friends...Hay
You are such a good chicken mommy and grammy
Very well said Haystack! So many times our animals try to tell us things, and we just don't "listen" Very well said.. That is the best advice ever.. Annie, I'm glad you put her back, especially if there was no real desperate need to take them away yet. You are well on your way of becoming a chicken whisperer. :) Doesn't it feel great!!!!
ohhhhhhhhhhhh you are so sweet. Does that mean we are all henpecked lol
Um, yeah, we're all hen pecked LOL Charlotte got to take her babies out side for a while today. I put a pile of fresh sand in a box for them. There was much fluffing, chirping, grass picking and flapping of not so tiny wings. When the babies got spooked or chilled they ran under mommy, it was soooo cute. When the other hens saw them through the fence they came to investigate but Charlotte kept the babies wiht her. When Goat saw them she pretty much ignored them. She was a fierce broody but when she's done, she's done!