We held our “Hens & Chicks Meet & Greet” over the weekend and I think we’ve found a way to ease the drama, trauma and pain of small flock integration.
And what a relief that is, given the trauma endured last August when we integrated two new hens into our flock. It was so bad, we ended up sending two from the original flock (the bad-girl bullies, Henny and Penny) to live with a much bigger flock “on the farm” (can you say chicken-stew?).
Helen and Madge, our two remaining hens, are fairly low key. Helen is queen of the roost, but she and Madge get along. The chicks are 10 weeks old and are almost as big as the hens (in body size only – the hens outweigh the chicks by several pounds).
 |
| Are you my Mother? |
 |
| Testing the pecking order. |
Ah, youth. A time to spread your wings. To flap off in the face of authority. To find out just where you stand in the pecking order. A time to discover you’re not at the top of the order.
It didn’t take Madge long to put Marigold in her place and let everyone else know that when Helen is away, Madge rules. With nothing more than a glaring look in their direction, the chicks quickly learned that blonde means business.
 |
| Helen meets the chicks |
 |
| Helen dominating. Note the two chicks on the right – fleeing. |
 |
| Birds of a feather |
Great idea. I'll have to remember this.