Perching

The chickens spend a lot of time on the big perch, especially when the ground is wet. Pepper and Dotty are usually first to cosy up together. Treacle is usually next to join them and Bluebell last (perhaps because she is at the bottom of the pecking order).

Treacle, Pepper and Dotty

Bluebell decides to join them

They all snuggle up together

Eventually they all settle close together. Having said yesterday that Bluebell and Treacle had shown no interest in perching in the apple tree, I saw Pepper and Bluebell both in the tree together for the first time today. By the time I had grabbed my camera, they had jumped down. Better luck next time.

When I clean up in the morning, the girls follow me round. While I have the side of the coop off to clean, they watch through the door. When I duck under the perch they all sit on it and watch me with interest. Yesterday Pepper reached out and tweaked a strand of my hair with her beak. They gently peck at the hem of my clothes, my back when I am bent over and sometimes by knees. It’s as if they like to feel me and say hello. I will look up to find one of them stood right next to me. I wonder if they think my daily poop picking is foraging. It’s quite amusing being followed round by the girl’s, they are so inquisitive. I love spending time with them.