I have a little (7” tall!) Frizzle hen named Bouffant. She was made for motherhood. I couldn’t keep her from her nesting box. So after 3 mo’s of sitting on golf balls, I decided to get her some fertile eggs. I put her in her own little enclosure with 4 eggs under her. 20 days later Pecky Sue arrived! The other 3 eggs didn’t hatch.
Hello Pecky Sue!
Bouffant was a terrific mom from day one. I was so disappointed that the other eggs didn’t hatch I thought I could sneak a few chicks from the feed store under her and she’d think they were hatched from her eggs….no foolin’ mother Bouffant! She brutalized poor little Emily Chickenson and Betty White until they came to me for comfort. Anyone who knows baby chicks will know that this is not usually the case. There is a reason they call ‘em chickens!
Chicky bonding
Anyway, I found new homes for the two step-chickens and Bouffant & Pecky carried on as if nothing else mattered. Pecky learned how to scratch around for food, not to peck her Mom in the eye, and basically become a squawky little chicken.
I peck, you peck
After a few months, Bouffant will still hang out with Pecky. They sleep in the same box but, Mom is laying eggs again and being more independent. Pecky often runs around chirping wildly when she realizes Buffont is no longer in site. My hope is that Bouffant won’t get Broody on me again and that Pecky Sue doesn’t turn out to be Pecky Steve!
My Pecky-Suuuue, I love you!
