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| An early photo of the chicken entry into the coop |
Mama Hen would go into the coop to the feeder, and cluck loudly in her best "I found food!" cluck. Chicken Little would peep like the dickens outside, but never ventured to even try to get into the coop.
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| Was it because the ramp was so steep? |
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| Was it because the entrance was so dark & foreboding? |
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| Was it because there might be big scary chickens inside? |
Finally Mama just started spending the night inside the coop anyway, leaving Chicken Little to his (or her) own resources. Chicken Little decided the next best thing to Mama, was to roost on a goat.
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| Surprise is actually very accommodating when it comes to things like this |
Well, I thought, this will never do. We already had one barnyard scandal ("Psst. Have You Heard The Latest?") because of a chicken who thought he was a goat. The only thing for it was to start putting Chicken Little to roost every night myself.
So for several nights, I would have to go catch Chicken Little to be carried into the chicken coop.
After about 4 or 5 evenings of this, I went into the goat half of the shed, but there was no Chicken Little. I listened, but didn't hear any peeping. I looked around, but saw no chickens anywhere. I finally took a look in the coop to discover this...
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| One of the big chickens now |
Chicken Little had figured it out and gone to roost without help. One of the big chickens at last.
Our set-up is why I tried to break Mama Hen's broody in the first place. Our chicken coop is half of an outbuilding that was here when we bought the place (see "The Chicken To-Do List"). It's worked well enough, but I am continually analyzing it with a view to replacing it someday. A coop that can accommodate brooding hens and baby chicks is on the drawing board, along with a new goat shed and milking parlor. I'll share our ideas with you soon.
28 comments:
What a sweet story with a happy ending..She is such a big girl now with all of the other chickens! xo
Can't wait to hear about all the plans! So glad she is with the big girls now!
The big chickens will keep reminding the chick of it's low ranking in the flock but it is a natural thing which works out with time. It is good that you trained it to go in by itself at night. Now if only it isn't a rooster.
Honestly, when I first read your title I was a bit worried that little chicken had taken a permanent dirt nap. I'm so glad this is just about being introduced to the flock and that little chicken is doing just fine.
I'm probably wrong, but I thought that chickens like to be all crowded in for the night.
How cute was this story. I'm so glad Chicken Little learned where his/her rightful place was but the picture of him/her on top of the goat was adorable. And such a sweet goat too to let the little chick "roost" on top! I'm also happy for the mother hen to have been successful at raising her chick. Great post!
Sherri, it was all too good not to share. :)
Jaclyn, those plans have been a long time in the making. :) Once a year we do a review and analysis. Hopefully we're starting to figure the animal situation out.
Sunnybrook, so true. It's sad and annoying that they all chase and pick on Chicken Little, but like you say, it's their natural order of things. I'm hoping it isn't a rooster too!
Renee, were you relieved? ;) Seems like chickens all like the top rung of the roost and will squabble over that. Usually all of them will spend the night on the top two. In winter, they do huddle together more.
Bernadine, it's a relief to have Chicken Little make it so far. My big worry now is hawk migration, of which we're in the path. One has been hanging around quite a bit. Fortunately my chickens learned about hawks the hard way last summer. They know to stay undercover when one is nearby.
I read some place that it takes about a week for a chook to recognize it's "home" when moved. I guess you just proved it correct! It's nice to hear that things in the coop are good and happy.
Aw... all grown up! :) What's the status of the guinea plan?
You know, that's about exactly what happens with our broody hens / mama hens / chicks. They never want to go into the "big scary coop" and I hand-deliver them for a while, but eventually they catch on. Oh, and my goats seem to LOVE it when chickens roost on them. Weird.
I am blending chicks and chickens now, too. I thought we were going to have a big fight. They have been working on blending for a week now and the magic has happened here, too! Yea
Nina, from my limited experience I'd say that's about right. It took awhile for the Buffs to transition when they were moved into the coop last summer, and now Chicken Little too. Although I have to say s/he wanted to go into the coop; it just took building up the nerve I guess. :)
Debbie, the guineas will have to wait until next spring. This is mostly because of availability this time of year, though it's probably better because we'll have more time to prepare for them.
Carolyn, isn't it funny how goats let chickens roost on them? A couple of my goats won't move when they have a chicken on their back. If I call they'll look at me like, "I'm occupied!"
Barb, yea indeed! I've heard a lot of horror stories about blending, and had a horrible experience last year. So nice when things turn out well.
Too cute! Happy Chicken Little finally got it all figured out. :)
Don't ya just love happy endings! What a smart Chicken Little . . . slow but finally "got it" in the end.
It really doesn't take them long to learn the ropes - but that is some ramp! I would have been leery if I was in her place. I think I would have stuck with the nice, warm goatie!
LOL this makes me think this would be a good children's book :)
I was so worried when I saw the title that you had lost Chicken Little somehow. So glad it was a happy bedtime story!
Yep, I think you caused several of us a little angst when we read the title of this post.
So sweet that she sought out the nice, big warm goat as a surrogate mother when her own deserted her!
Sometimes you fear they'll never catch on (going into the hen house on their own) but usually they do . . . with that little extra urging and hand-carrying.
Awwww! That's so sweet. I love how accommodating the goat is.
I've had to do that kind of thing too (miuns the goat) when the little girls wouldn't go in at night...
Crystal, the funny thing is that tonight, when I went to count chickens, I couldn't find Chicken Little. Found her out with the goats! In the dark!
Janice, it's neat to see how they catch on. Chickens can learn indeed.
Susan, I think that's me too, LOL
Stephanie, it is that kind of story. :)
Michelle and Mama Pea, I'm sorry I caused concern! It never occurred to me that night-night meant anything other than, well, going to bed for the night.
Candice, it's funny how the goats don't seem to mind. :)
Nancy, I reckon we'd worry about them otherwise. :)
So glad everything worked out for Chicken Little!
Awww... Poor Chicken Little was a little chicken to go up the ramp.
Hurray for chicken little! What a cute picture, roosting with the big girls....love it.
Aaaww! So cute.
Carolyn, me too!
Benita, LOL, I hadn't thought of that.
Martha and Bridget, thanks!
Chickens who think they are goats? Scandalously funny! So glad Chicken Little figured it out. =)
How cute! They grow up so fast.
Jacqueline thanks! And welcome!
Jody, it's amazing how fast they grow. S/he's almost as bit as the other chickens now.
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