Peggy and Tina took to the chicken tractor pretty quickly. They only stood frozen in terror for about 60 seconds or so before they started checking out their new digs. Yesterday, they were down by Lisa's coop, because that's one of the only available flat spots in the yard. Today, we moved them to their own personal chicken tier, which Dakota dug out early this morning.
Here they are inside the tractor. Can you believe how big they are already?
Lisa is quite curious about the new girls, as you might imagine. She has checked them out from every angle through the wire mesh of the tractor. She and Tina were practically beak to beak today. I'm not sure if she's decided what she thinks of the new chicks yet, but we're hoping they end up as friends. I don't plan to force it, though. I have read about babies getting injured in fights with bigger, more dominant chickens. I think several weeks of staring at each other through the wire will be important before they actually meet out in the yard. That should give Peggy and Tina time to grow a bit bigger, too.
I can already tell that Tina is going to be the leader of their little team. Whenever I go into their brooder with my camera or reach into the tractor to pick them up, Peggy runs behind Tina to hide. Like this:
Tina's a good protector, so hopefully she'll take good care of her smaller sister when they move in with this no-nonsense lady.
Don't you feel chastised by her disapproving expression? Lisa's actually a pretty sweet girl, most of the time. Although, the appearance of the new girls has gotten her a bit riled up. She's been hooting and hollering quite a lot this weekend. Lisa has always had a big, impressive cluck she uses to remind us how important she is, but she's been doing it even more the last couple of days. Dakota thinks she wants more attention. He may be right.
Lisa's Big Cluck from Audrey on Vimeo.
Finally, by special request from one of Lisa's many admirers, here's a full-body shot of her. Here you go Sarah! I hope this helps you figure out the sex of your Rhode Island Red.
What a big cluck! And what an even bigger expression! Lisa does look a little scary up close like that....
Wow, Lisa has grown into a fine young lady.
You may have seen these already, but if you haven't, you should check out this series of line drawings of a chicken growing from fuzzy and cute through its awkward adolescence. I'm sure they will bring back many fond memories of Jackie and Lisa's carefree youth.
Pegy looks a lot like our EE; I just love her green legs!