Thought it was high time for an update on the hens! Lest you think it has been all sunshine and butterflies around here, let me tell you: chicken keeping is not for the faint of heart. Nosiree.
Currently we are battling a double case of coccidiosis and worms brought on by the incessant rainfall Virginia has been experiencing. But despite all the difficulties, I'm trying to focus on the fact that we have become quite attached to these little birds with their big personalities as they have weaseled their way into our hearts and lives, and we gain so much joy from watching them scratch around and do their chicken-y things everyday. I know it sounds weird. I thought so too. Until we got chickens.
Each has their own unique set of habits and quirks, and for however long they are here with us (and I'm quickly learning that chicken mortality is a very delicate situation), I want to enjoy them to the full. Today I wanted to share with you the beauty that our Brooke has grown into!
First, let's look back at her teenage portrait around 5 or 6 weeks old:
And now here she is today at four months - the beautiful Black Australorp that firmly but gently co-leads our flock:
She is by far our largest bird in height and weight, and I just adore how her black feathers glow a luminescent green and purple when the sun hits her:
From our observations, she and Marilla are the co-head hens around here. They keep everyone else in line, and gently lead them through their daily activities.
One of Brooke's silly quirks is that she is ALWAYS the last one up to the coop at night, and once she gets there, she takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to actually get up on the roost to sleep. She has to examine it from every possible angle, carefully decides whom she would like to sleep next to that night, and then has to find a space big enough for her ample girth to heave itself up onto (it's slim pickin's once she decides it's bedtime-all the other birds are long snuggled in).
She was always one of our sweetest and most docile hens. But with the advent of Pip's return (and the arrival of her hormones...we think she's getting really close to the point of lay), she has become a bit more bossy. All she has to do is glare in Pip's direction, and she sends a shiver of fear down Pip's little spine that shoots her off to the opposite end of the run. - She also regularly chases Pippa out of the coop at night (several times) before she finally gives in and lets her roost with the rest of the big girls - under duress.
Her nickname has become "Brooke the Blob" because when Brooke naps, she is tooootally into it. Her neck completely disappears into her feathers as she spreads her wings out and melts herself onto the ground like a puddle of ink for a good hearty snooze. She scratches and pecks and eats and bathes with the best of 'em, but when it comes to napping, Brooke is the all-star.
Overall, she is still our gentle giant. She's a very good girl while being held, is easy to pick up, and loves, LOVES her treats... Always one of the first to come running to the door when she sees me from across the yard - though if I come empty handed, I can see her shoulders droop in disappointment. Ha!
You're a sweetie, Brooke! So glad we made that last-minute decision to add an Australorp to the gang!
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