The first day as a flock of seven

After the sadness of taking Peaches and Barley to Moira, being with the flock after they have gone has been a joy. I can’t believe the difference. Everything is calm and quiet.

The three amigos have been back and forth to the patio and have been able to share the lunch time apple and melon whereas usually Peaches and Barley would not have allowed them.

Cinnamon was able to go straight to her nest box of choice without being chased away and quickly got her egg laid.

It is so peaceful and quiet. Peaches and Barley were constantly noisy and my husband remarked how quiet it is now.

Cinnamon and Dandelion on the patio with Emerald photo bombing

Dandelion gets to have some melon

Apricot has some melon

The girls have melon together

As you can see Emerald doesn’t bother the three amigos at all, even when there are treats to be had. Emerald has the sweetest nature.

It is so good to see these girls on the patio

I think that all the problems I have had getting the three amigos to the patio wouldn’t have been as bad without Peaches and Barley but I couldn’t have done this sooner. I had to be sure there was no other way and it took the double problem of Speckles and Cinnamon to make up my mind.

You can see the grey under feathers where they would grab Cinnamon, pulling feathers out at the same time. I am not trying to turn Peaches and Barley into the bad guys (girls), as they just couldn’t help themselves, but it had just got to an unbearable stage for all.

I am sure they will be happier not having to defend the patio and nest boxes all the time. They will have to learn to settle into a new life which may be hard for them to begin with but eventually when they have a whole meadow and orchard to roam I know they will be happier.

The first day without them has proved to me that it was the right thing to do.