Sarge's Day

Moving the growers' run today proved to be somewhat of an adventure for the young birds. We decided that we wouldn't worry about the chicks getting out as they were about to be fed their cooked lunch (which they go mad for), so getting them to go back in should have been easy.

Grazing in the big wide world.

Well, having moved the run, we sat back and watched them mingle with our layers. This was interesting to say the least. The small silver laced hen, decided that she was obviously much bigger then she appeared and not only squared up to one of the big brown hens, but jumped at her and started pecking her back - it could have been a fully blown fight, but the poor brown hen just didn't know what to do - she just stood there in amazement - I laughed and laughed.

Standing so straight obviously makes you seem 10ft tall

Well, getting them to go back into the run was a piece of cake, I put bowl of mashed potato, steamed veg and boiled egg into the run and they shortly followed. Time for a head count. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... hmmm, only 8 and there should be 9. I glanced around the garden to see Sarge, our fearless cockerel (unless you are a fully grown hen, then he is a whimp), chasing the white crested black poland hen around the garden. With that it started squarking and squeaking as it seemed to be running for its life - again I laughed.

The terrorised hen with hits buddies.

I sat and watched, whilst half-heartedly scolding Sarge, as the tiny, terrorised avian ran for cover under a large shrub. I sent The Chicken Hunter in after it, while I fed Sarge to distract him and filled the growers' water bowl. The Chicken hunter was successful and we secured all 9 chicks back in their run and let them enjoy their feast.

Although it was probably a scary experience for the hen, Sarge is very rarely able to rule anyone, so I am sure he enjoyed the whole experience.