Our flock of chickens is living at my workplace for the summer. I am there a lot, there is a big shade tree and lots of weeds for them to eat so they are happy. Except that the move there threw some mysterious hen dynamic off, and they started really going after one hen. They pulled her feathers out, ripped her comb and wouldn't let her eat or drink. So, back home she came to live here on the homestead. After her departure, all became calm again with the main flock. Who knows...
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| Chicken plus duck |
Chickens are flock animals, not solitary creatures, though I thought a lonely life was better than death by pecking. She actually seemed to be enjoying herself. She had the whole property to roam, and gained weight eating bugs galore. Then, the ducks moved outside, and I had hopes that they might all bond. At first, I kept the duck trio in their own pen when they would come out, and she didn't show any aggression to them. Then, when it was warm enough, I popped them in the chicken coop and there they stayed. She didn't seem to mind them. I'd let them out and they would excitedly run around and forage, and she would saunter up like she didn't really care about them, but just happened to want to forage in the same place.
Now they are free ranging, and follow her around the place. They are quite a motley crew, but a content bunch, as far as I can tell.
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| Time for a drink |
The trio of ducks is always together. No matter what they do, it is with company. And if they need a clue on the ways of the world, they just find their chicken.
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| Lounging under the elderberry bushes |
