At bedtime the day before yesterday, without Butterscotch, Toffee decided she wanted to sleep outside in the run. Toffee is usually first in the chicken shed at bedtime because she likes to take her place against the wall of the shed.
The only time she has decided to sleep out since we have had the chicken shed was when we had the path done and the stress of the guys working by the run coupled with the fact that I couldn’t go up to the girls as I couldn’t stand on the newly laid path led to her to sleep out for one night.
I have to assume that she feels a bit of upset at Butterscotch, who was the top girl, leaving as she once again decided to sleep out. I chased her from the perch at the furthest point of the run to the chicken shed four times before deciding to close the pop hole and keep her in.
Yesterday morning it was unusually quiet. I had to look out of the bedroom window to check that the automatic door had opened as there wasn’t a squeak out of the girls. Usually I hear them in the early morning before I go out to them.
I decided to give them some mash to cheer to them up a bit.
I gave the girls some mash
They all joined in at the mash
They are enjoying this treat
Speckles was a bit intimidated by Peaches and Barley
Emerald and Speckles decided to give up for now
Peaches and Barley only had to look at Speckles to cause her to run away. I knew she would go back to the dish when they have had their fill though.
In the evening the same thing happened again. Toffee decided she was sleeping out. I don’t know why Butterscotch leaving should cause Toffee not to want to sleep in the shed. It’s very odd.
Four girls in the shed at bedtime
Toffee wants to roost here
I chased Toffee into the shed
Once again I chased Toffee into the shed and closed the pop hole. I will continue to do this until she gets back into the habit of going to bed in the shed. I am amazed that Butterscotch going has changed her habit like this. I think the girls are missing Butterscotch.
Toffee is back in her usual spot
At dusk I checked in again and Toffee was in her usual position next to the wall. I connected the automatic door back up again for the morning. I wonder how long this new routine will continue. It has clearly unsettled the girls having Butterscotch leave.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Toffee must miss Butterscotch, We dont realise how much these animals care for each other,When we had to have our Max put to sleep,our Cleo never got over it, She was a very unhappy girl , and she turned very timid again.These animals really care for each other.Hope to see a blog soon , to see how Butterscotch is getting on.
I think they do miss each other. I hope to catch up with Butterscotch as soon as we are less busy. I keep wondering how she is getting on and if she is still sitting broody in a nest box.
I suppose that our girls are all creatures of habit, who like their routine: Butterscotch’s departure has affected that routine. She probably provided reassurance for Speckles, ass they came as a pair and maybe she is a bit unnerved. One thing is for sure – they always settle after a while; hopefully, your evenings of chasing Toffee into the shed will be short-lived.
Tonight Emerald joined Toffee on the same perch furthest from the chicken shed while the other three had gone in. I chased them both down and they ran in the shed like naughty girls. Toffee despite now taking top place and she had earlier put Emerald in her place earlier, is more skittish around me and jumped down as I approached. Emerald stayed and I stroked her and could have picked her up but thought it best to just direct her down and let her go in herself. She got faster nearer the shed and ran in before Toffee who followed her in. It is hot at the moment which is probably making them more inclined to try staying out. I am sure as it gets colder they will return to normal. In the mean time I shall carry on chasing them in until things get back to normal. At least I don’t have to catch them. Once I direct them down from the perch they run straight in so it’s not too much hassle. Who would have thought a change to the flock would have such an effect. I am sure things will settle down in time. I hope Butterscotch is settling into her new home. I will call Moira in a few days to see how it is going.
I suspect that as you have moved the top hen then the pecking order is now being re-established. They will all want to try and move to that top spot which could cause some bullying and a change in flock dynamic in the short to medium term. She may be avoiding the roost due to this. I hope it all settles down for you soon 🙂
Toffee was always next in line but as top girl she is a very shy and timid character. She has always been above Emerald which she established again today and also Peaches. Speckles has always been able to chase Toffee away though, it has been although Speckles sensed her timidness from the beginning. Barley has had spats with each girl during the last year and has proved not to be below anyone. It still looks like Toffee has taken the top spot yet she remains intimidated by Speckles and Barley but chases Emerald to keep her in her place. Toffee is the most unlikely top girl you could ever have. She is the eldest and her and Emerald have been with me the longest and yet she has always been skittish whereas Emerald is friendly and unafraid of being handled and yet Toffee can still chase Emerald away. They are all mild characters left in the flock now and there doesn’t seem to be any contesting Toffee for the top spot despite the fact that she is a very mild character.
I might have missed this bit but as Toffee was next to the wall , did butterscotch sit next to her ?
No she didn’t. Toffee always sat next to the wall and Butterscotch, without fail, always sat right in the middle. I don’t think it’s to do with who Toffee sits next to but more that the top girl has gone and now Toffee has become top girl so perhaps she no longer feels the need to sleep where top girl did. Who knows what goes on in their brains but it has changed the way Toffee is at bedtime. I chased her in again last night.