A few weeks ago The Girl and I rushed to the window to see what the chickens were freaking out about. Buff The Wayward Chicken was being attacked… By not 1 but 2 other chickens. This was very strange behavior indeed. Why were our normally well-behaved chickens picking on Buff? Turns out they had pecked her quite a bit leaving a raw 1″ by 2″ featherless patch on her head.
There was blood. It was gross. Her head is currently in the process of scabbing over. Ever since the incident we (The Girl & I) felt sorry for her and decided she didn’t need to hang around her aggressors so we gave her free reign on the back 40 for about 2 weeks while she healed.
BIG MISTAKE
HUGE MISTAKE
This week, after having the whole backyard to herself for sometime now, we reintroduced her back into the flock. It’s not going to well. Besides the fact that every once in a while one of the other chickens will try and give her a little peck… she basically spends her time (successfully) finding ways to escape the luxurious 40′ by 60′ confines of the chicken run. The Girl and I find it amusing… The HH and Monkey Boy do not.
It seems they cannot lookout the window without spotting “That Chicken” wandering the back (or front) yard. When The Girl and I went away for the weekend (more on that in another post) the boys had 2 different neighbors knock on the door informing them they had an escaped chicken on the run. Add this to Buff eating vegetables out of the garden, up rooting plants and using the back lawn to well ummm you know…
To say that the Handsome Husband is growing tired of her daily antics… Would be the UNDERSTATEMENT.OF.THE.YEAR. Mark my words… this chickens days are numbered.
But for now… this Prima Donna (and highest of all high maintenance chickens) now sits atop the potting bench every night waiting patiently to be carried back to the coop. For better or worse… She refuses to be tamed.
This story will be continued… Although if I had to guess… this one doesn’t look like it’s gonna be a happy ending.
Michelle says
I’m sad.
Me! says
Other than sending Prima Donna to “camp” (freezer camp that is), I am sure you could find someone who free ranges their chickens to take her. If you choose to keep her, try putting vicks vapor rub on her, the other chickens don’t like to peck at that! As far as keeping her in her pen, maybe she feels the need to hide more than others, you could add an outdoor roost, (my girls love to spy on the neighbors from their roosts) or something to hide under. If I was closer I’d take her! good luck!
You can call me Jane says
This one is a tough one. Sometimes the kind thing is putting the animal down. Or, you could always muzzle the other birds. Maybe try that first:-).
Sue says
I hope you don’t kill her.
Sarah C says
I dunno, soup is happy, isn’t it? She’s had a good life, luxurious digs, free range vacations. I’m sure she’ll make lovely broth! Seems a frugal end.