Well, the Bronco’s lost. What more can be said. Now we move forward to next year. There really is nothing else to do.
The chickens have all been sorted out and deposited at Shannon’s. The poor little hen is now out of the house and in the hen house all by her little lonesome. I feel better with her out there…she has lots of room to move around in, food and water as she wants it and lots of lovely alfalfa to peck at.
When I placed her in the hen house she walked around with the most pathetic little clucking sound–I know she was looking for the others. But not for a while little girl. Not for some time really. Your whole head has to heal and the feathers starting to emerge before I bring back Little Bear (her best friend). Chickens (fowl) will peck on anyone and anything that has blood on them. Once started they get that ‘Mean Girl’ or ‘Bully’ or ‘Mafia’ look in there eyes and only death will please.
(Don’t look at the following photo if blood makes you sick)
As I told the Big Black Hen (of course the best egg layer in the house) as I reached down and grabbed her, peeling her off Little Buff Hen…”YOU STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!! I’m the biggest chicken in this house and I don’t put up with this kind of attitude!”
Some of you have asked if I know why this started…not really, but maybe…boredom! The whole flock loves to be outside running and flapping and dusting. But we had a huge snow storm Friday, which has left nothing uncovered. The next day we had a small melt, but that is all.
Although, I have a nice coop, with enough space (chickens need ten square feet per chicken) and a lovely covered run —I even cover it in plastic for winter time use such as this–they have refused to leave around the feeder and the water, except to lay their eggs.
This made them largely bunched up. Crowded and bored…I tried to push them out into the covered pen, but they squalled and squawked until they could get back in and make sure they had all the rights to the feeder. I put the feeder/water out with them…no they wanted the inside feeder/water.
It’s been a struggle and the result was bloody.
Shannon’s pens are larger and covered and empty. They won’t have electricity out there but they will have room. As time passes and everything calms back down I must bring another hen over to help with the loneliness and to help her bond back with the hens.
At night I will bring her into the house so she is warm. Not having other warm feathered bodies to huddle up too would be too much.
So that is where we are now. Everything starting to settle down and another snow storm due in here any minute. We have a 60% chance of snow by noon.
A chicken having room to ‘do stuff’ is good for healing. The other chickens (and Tommy) back at their original home. (Shannon decided if she was going to take the hens she might has well take her turkey home too.)
You friend on a farm in western Colorado,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Sort of like people in a large room when some agitation starts
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awww. heal quickly, little hen, and you can have a friend back soon. 🙂
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I’m glad to hear that your poor battered hen won’t always be the object of bullying. I was afraid the mean girls would pick on her for the rest of her life.
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Oh poor little chicken..she thought that the sky had fallen on her head and this time it did
thats the story of Little Red Hen
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I wonder if this little hen knows she is lucky? I’ve never had any prolonged experience with hens and am amazed at their aggression.
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Hens must act the same way some people act. Your snow pictures are beautiful, and snow at least means moisture.
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I’m really touched by how much care and respect goes to each and every animal, regardless of his or her nature. So many lessons to be learned in all these stories…thanks, Linda. “The Little Buff Hen” sounds like another book when you’re done with the Fuzzy and Boomer one.
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She looks pretty good considering she was beat up! Its funny the “pecking” order in all animals. You can see it in the horses, cows and especially the bulls.
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Your snow pictures are so pretty!! Poor little hen, they really roughed her up, didn’t they?! Hope she heals up soon. I’ve not had that trouble “yet” with my hens, but know it sure could happen when I have to shut them in when it storms or is bitterly cold. These farm critters can keep us on our toes!!
We got a skift of ice and snow Saturday night with more forecasted for tonight. Must head out to do chores and close the hens in AGAIN!
Blessings!
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That poor little hen. Hope she heals quickly so she can be back with her friends. Love the snow pictures.
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Poor henny. We had a flock of chickens when I was 7, and they were no joke. I was afraid of them. Thank heavens for Shannon!
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Like many humans included these birds got the winter doldrums.
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You got a bunch of snow! The hen must be feeling better today…I hope she doesn’t get an infection. Stay warm:)
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Incredible. This all makes good sense. Sounds like you have great understanding of all of this. Whew!
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Poor little chicken. Glad you have a place where she can heal… Poor thing…. Boredom can make all of us —even chickens I guess—do strange things… Glad the other chickens could go to Shannon’s….
Your snow is pretty… I’m sure you are tired of it –but we have had almost none this winter. We did wake up to some ICE this morning. Yuk.
Sorry about the Broncos…
Hugs,
Betsy
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The snow pics are just beautiful…. your poor little hen… I care as much as if I was there with you !!!! Thank heavens you understand them !!!
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Ah, winter is making us all cranky. Your pictures are beautiful, Linda. Good luck with your sweet, little hen.
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If someone goes into town today, have them pick up some Blue Kote (or maybe you have some from when you ran cattle). It helps with healing and it changes the appearance of the wound from red to blue. I hope you get it figured out. Birds are so smart and so stupid, all at the same time. 😦
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Your little black hen is lucky to have you watching out for her. I hope she heals quickly. I thought the first comment above was very interesting (about people in a crowded room)…makes you think!
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It looks so snowy and cold. Everyone, including the hens, is in survival.
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