Mom was on the phone with me today and I took her out to “chat” with Gordon. He cooperated so nicely and crowed many times for her! Then Merlin joined in. It was so funny. Mom was crowing back to them on the phone (on speaker). There was some drama this morning. As Gordon grows up, he is figures out how to crow, but also that hens are looking more interesting. He is curious about mating. But he doesn’t’ seem to have the process down. He has been essentially picking fights with one hen – AllisonAudrey (a very petite hen adopted from Tijen). She has her nice feathers back in after molting and is looking quite spry and cute. She stood up to him so well it was amazing. In fact, she managed to grab a huge mouthful of his fluffy beard! I was there, trying to gently separate the two of them with my pitchfork. AllisonAudrey’s little face as she marched away with Gordon’s beard in her mouth was so funny. She really knew she’d gotten him pretty good! He has a lot more beard left, of course, but it was hysterical to see her little face with her beak full of her prize. The little Barred Rocks had their first full day with the rest of the flock yesterday and everyone was fine. I am so so relieved. They even roosted last night along with the big chickens. The one with the broken leg is managing QUITE well – it is so remarkable. She is still limping, but it’s not slowing her down. She looks more slight than the other one, but she is eating and drinking fine. I got the necropsy report back on the peep girl yesterday, but it is inconclusive and they want to run a few more tests. The vet reassured me that I am very unlikely to get some horrible chicken illness. That worries me – it is totally not a sanitary place down there – it can’t be, especially when it is so wet all the time. And when chickens eat, they often are very messy and shake their heads, spraying stuff all over. This is particularly true when they eat yogurt 🙂 They don’t like messy beaks!