So. The ice-pack trick had no effect on Phoebe's perpetual broodiness.

I planted a glacier of ice packs in the nest box and she found her way around it, squeezing onto a tiny bit of bedding that remained in the corner. So I rearranged the ice packs and then she scratched and tore them and the ice melted and dripped out and that was fine with Phoebe, who sat blissfully upon the whole soggy mess.
This appeared to be a comfortable setup, but for Phoebe it was a heinous torture chamber. She paced and fluffed and ranted and panicked.
In response to her distress, all of the ladies stood beside her at the edge of the run, and there they remained, compassionately close to the little jailbird. Because a flock is a flock, even if one member is doing hard time.
At night, I placed her back into the nest box, under house arrest until morning when I took her right back to the correctional facility.
It took only three days to rehabilitate this little gal from
to
On that third day, she stepped out of the nest box, stood up straight, and returned to her esteemed position at the very bottom of the pecking order. When I opened the gate that morning, Phoebe accepted a peck on the head from each of her friends, and then tore out across the yard to trash my garden with her team.
Everyone was happy to have Phoebe back.
Well, almost everyone.
Phoebe!
ReplyDeleteLove it! The expression on Marky's face looks a lot like what I see on our dog's face when she is around our chickens.
ReplyDeleteSweet relief! So glad she is restored.
ReplyDeleteGood work! I expect my hens would appreciate the ice packs this week. Every day is expected to be over 100°
ReplyDeleteA sorta prodigal chicken story.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to every 'happening' in your yard.
ReplyDeleteThe Little Jailbird needed to show the Stoic Flock how to have fun! Will they all have to spend time in Time Out? This Blog is so fun to follow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hilarious post! I love your chicken adventures.
ReplyDeleteI thought that your chickens had been a little bit more vocal these past few days.
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ReplyDeleteHi,
Very nice post, impressive. its quite different from other posts. Thanks for sharing.
Bangla Choti
I'm figuring December, January and February... by March I'm usually mentally done with Winter and will break out some Spring-y stuff whether Mother Nature cooperates or not. get you pussychicken.
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