As our latest rescue, Edith, explores her new world, her behavior resembles that of a toddler playing with everything in sight. Today she’s taken a particular interest in playing with Doris’s tail feathers, much to Doris’s dismay. Listen for her gentle squeals of disapproval; she had been trying to nap at the time.
Edith is beginning to find her way with the other chickens in our flock. Much to my surprise, the gregarious tomboy Sweet Pea is afraid of Edith and runs from her curious, friendly and well-intentioned overtures. Doris is cautious at times and disinterested other times. Danita, the alpha hen, continues to reprimand Edith for no apparent reason other than she just doesn’t know her role in the flock yet. There’s nothing malicious on Danita’s part, but Edith is nonetheless afraid of Danita and keeps her distance. This could all change as the dynamics between them evolve.
Last night was the first night Edith slept in the coop with the others. This was a milestone and a great relief for me. She was bewildered when the others went in for the night and I walked toward the house. Her eyes immediately went from sleepy to perked up and then she made a mad dash toward me. I placed her in the coop but she came down again and looked at me, again bewildered. I decided to leave her to figure this one out. When I came back a couple of hours later after nightfall, I found her in the coop in Sandye’s old room, fast asleep.
