The new girls

The dominiques are now growing in confidence and beginning to show the new girls their place, as later arrivals. They peck at and chase away Bluebell as she is the smallest (apart from Dotty), but they don’t dare to have a go at Treacle as she is the biggest. I am quite glad that Treacle is a bit bigger or the dominiques would probably intimidate them both. Bluebell doesn’t seem overly bothered and just keeps out of their way. As it was hot today, they all sat in the shade of the big shrub together, so I am not too worried.

I took photos of the new girls today, but they are not great as it’s very difficult to get close to them. Pepper and Dotty have been used to me putting a camera to them from the start and take no notice but the new girls move away making it difficult to get a close up. I did my best!

Treacle has a magnificent tail

Bluebell shares the shade

Treacle is coming

Bluebell has a crest

Treacle has copper neck feathers

Bluebell in the flower pot

After last night’s bed time routine, I decided to sit with chooks for about an hour before their bed time. I took a glass of  wine and my camera and decided to be top hen and watch over them.

Pepper has definitely decided she is now top hen. It’s quite funny because when we first bought them home she was top hen, but then Poppy turned out to be a roo and became top putting Pepper at the bottom, she became very docile. Now with Poppy gone, I think because they were here first, she is reclaiming her place as top hen.

Every time Bluebell tried to go in the coop, Pepper chased her out. A few times she went for her and I separated them, gently moving Pepper aside and telling her I am actually top hen here. Pepper would go in and come out again but not let Bluebell in. After a while they came to an impasse and seemed to all decide to snooze together outside the coop instead.

Let’s all snooze outside of the coop

Eventually Pepper and Dotty went in once more followed by Bluebell. This time Treacle wasn’t far behind and I felt once she was in they were less likely to turf someone out. Pepper came to the door a few times, but then decided she was beaten and settled. Once again, when all in they settled and twittered quietly away together. I decided to trust them tonight without using the crate.