The first day after Toffee had gone the flock seemed split into groups of the three little girls as usual and two pairs, being Peaches and Barley who have always been inseparable and a new pairing of Emerald and Speckles. I had the feeling that Emerald was missing Toffee and so paired up with Speckles for company.
Three little girls share a dish of fish
Peaches and Barley perch together like a pair of bookends
Speckles and Emerald perch together
Three little girls at bedtime in their usual positions
Peaches and Barley together at bedtime
Emerald and Speckles together at bedtime with Emerald in Toffee’s corner
The first night after Toffee had gone
The second day after Toffee had gone the four remaining bigger girls grouped together. At bedtime they were all four together with Emerald still taking Toffee’s position in the corner.
The second night after Toffee had gone
I think the flock is adjusting to the loss of Toffee as are we. It still seems very strange not seeing her each day. She has left a hole in the flock and it is taking time to get used to not seeing her with her flock mates.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
They must miss her, Humans do not give credit to how animals care for each other.
I think they do miss her. Emerald has taken to sleeping in her spot and is bossing all the other girls around at the moment to let them know that she is now top girl. She has had a go at Speckles and at the little girls. It’s not nice to see but I know that the pecking order needs to be re- established.
Hi, Carol
Just back from Berlin, where my phone did not work and I was unable to use the internet. I had suspected that you would need to make a decision over the past few days. Toffee was a beautiful bird and had a lovely life with you; it’s always sad when we lose them, but good to take consolation from having cared for them so well throughout their time with us. I also lost my porcelain sablepoot, Princess, while I was away. She had been standing in the ‘wish this moult was over’ pose for a couple of days, but was eating and drinking; my father found her dead on Thursday morning. Sad to lose a bird at only 18 months – hatched by Cotton in 2015, although she never came to me voluntarily, like so many of the others and was feisty, especially during her 4-week broody phase over the summer. Still awaiting eggs from the pullets, although my dad reckons there should be some before Christmas – wish I shared his optimism, or had his poultry experience!
Take care, and thanks for putting out the ‘celebration; post about Toffee – lovely to read.
I assumed you were out of internet range as was I for twenty four hours which I found frustrating. Sorry to hear that you have lost Princess, that is sad.
Rusty and Freckles will be six months old before Christmas but somehow I can’t imagine them laying then. They don’t look at all imminent. Rusty still seems quite immature. She still has a tiny comb and still makes her baby sound.
I am glad you liked my celebration of Toffee.