We have a new addition to our little flock. A friend of mine was trying her hand at chicken-keeping this summer as well...in fact, her boyfriend picked up Phoebe for me when he got her 2 chicks (Chick and Egg). Unfortunately, Egg turned out to be a rooster. Bad news when you're living in a residential area...and you want eggs...not more chicks. So, after a lot of trying to figure out what to do with Egg (including posting a Craigslist ad and planning a possible drive-by chicken drop at the Country Village in Bothell), she was able to find someone to take Egg. Since chickens are social animals, Chick has come to live with our 3 girls.
The introduction has not been without some turmoil. Since Mrs. Dashwood, Lady Catherine and Phoebe had established a "pecking order" (yes folks, this is where we get the term) adding another contender threw everything up in the air. After a few hours together, it was clear we were going to have to put some separation between them so that they could get used to the idea. Phoebe was the worst offender, pecking at poor Chick and running and jumping on her. Chick had some battle wounds, so we partitioned the coop for her with her own food and water for a couple of days. When they are out in the yard, they seem to do better. Chick is able to run away if need be. They're still not as integrated as they will be eventually, but the war seems to have ceased.
The only problem we're dealing with now is that Phoebe and Chick look very similar...Chick is smaller, for now. We might have to give one of them a little bracelette or something. :)
Welcome to the family, Chick!
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