Lately I've noticed Lucy's neck looking a little scraggly.
But I chalked it up to old age...
I mean, my neck certainly doesn’t look like a
spring chicken’s either. That's why I always pose with one of my hens.
See how young I look?
For a five-year-old hen, Lucy has been looking pretty healthy.
But here's what I mean about her neck:
Then a couple weeks ago I witnessed this:
and I realized the problem wasn't old age -- the problem was Lil'White.
Lil'White goes after Daisy all the time,
but Daisy has enough spunk to stay a few steps ahead of her.
Lucy, however, couldn't outrun a snail.
I only saw Lil'White pecking at Lucy once, and never again....but Lucy's feathers have been looking worse and worse.
The night Lucy chose to roost outdoors at bedtime
I realized that Lil'White must have been nibbling at Lucy all night long on the roost inside.
Lil’White and Lucy always sleep side by side on the roost.
I couldn’t change their roosting situation - each gal chooses her place, and
the bedtime routine is pretty much set in stone.
So I considered other possibilities:
These "pinless peepers" helped my friend Jennifer's gal, Lily,to change her peckish ways....
I had one other idea that seemed easier. I took two pieces of
wood, a couple of nails and a big ol’ C-clamp, and built a wall.
So now Evil Lil'White has a bedroom of her own.
I'm not sure how Lil'White feels about this setup,
But I think Lucy and Daisy are thrilled.