Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Flock of Velociraptors...

I'm not convinced these are any better, but will have to do. An iPhone is not great in taking action pix and my girls refuse to stay still.


Canasta, eyeing up a bug on her perch

Scrabble

Jenga

Canasta and Scrabble debugging my patio

Jenga and Scrabble scratching over the patio bed for me

Polly

I am trying not to adore them too much and failing. There is still time for them to show their true colours and grow into manly cocks. They are so sweet though. The little brown ones, Canasta and Scrabble seem more like road-runners than chickens in the way they are so sleek and dart around. 

I handle them in the afternoon and before they roost and they are becoming less and less panicked by me now. They have my measure now. 

Yesterday, when I tackled the last of the nettles in the woodpile, they came when called to scratch and peck under my feet. Rummy had gone a-galavanting and so we were all far more relaxed. I'd call to them and they'd drift on over to me. I didn't do an awful lot yesterday, only a couple of barrow-full of weeds, which I left in piles. I couldn't be arsed to get the barrow out again, once my eaves have been repaired (there's a man fixing them now) I'll haul them onto the bonfire. When I was done ,I went in and sat down I could still see them. I'd left the greenhouse door open to get some fresh air in there, and after awhile they all drifted in of their own accord. No need to chase them down waving a big stick. Awesome.

Supervising them, as Z pointed out, is a bit like a Joyce Grenfell sketch "George don't do that." 

Rummy is getting over the fact I'm so horrible to him and not letting him eat them. He still would though. I wouldn't trust him with them as far as I can throw a plastic pot, which I did have to end up doing when we were out en masse earlier in the week. I think it's now jealousy on his part. Being that I'm his human and he is not entirely happy that he has to share me with Boy or Dave; four chirping velociraptors that like to snuggle with me in the evenings are a bit much.

Dave thinks I'm nuts. But then, he's always thought so; really no change there. He remarked that I'd failed miserably as crazy cat lady, so trying for crazy chicken lady. In his true romantic fashion he declared that he would sort out the coop. So said, so done. He's also insisting that he be the one to put it together. Yes, he's seen me in flat pack action. I remain grateful. Which reminds me, he suggested I hang old CDs up in the greenhouse to amuse the girls. I've got some kicking around here somewhere....

17 comments:

  1. What delightful chix pix! Scrabble seems to have a lot of personality.

    PS: The coop would be an excellent way to recycle any Madonna CDs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks hon. They are delightful chix. :)

      Good idea. I was wondering what to sacrifice.

      xx

      Delete
  2. I didn't know that chickens could look cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are still babies...well...teenagers really.

      But I didn't know either.

      xx

      Delete
  3. Scrabble? Canasta? I think you're just playing games with them!
    I'd still like to have some chooks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Polly is from mono-Polly. Jenga is tower game played with long blocks.

      Yep. It's all fun and games round here.

      If you ask nicely Z might let you have some.
      xx

      Delete
    2. I'm sorry to say that I immediately thought of thrush (sadly, not the song bird) at the name Canasta (adding n Combi). However, after some light googling, I have discovered what canasta is. Sorry.

      Delete
    3. I blame antibiotics.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous8:51 pm

    Poker, 66, Tarock, Skat, Binokel, Watten, Whist - they'll all move in sooner or later ... and of course "Screw your neighbour" is reserved for the special bird !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to look up Screw your Neighbour. In any case, names have to be shoutable.

      I'll bear those names in mind for the next creatures to join me here. I was beginning to struggle a bit.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:58 pm

      Strangely enough I can imagine you standing somewhere in the meadows shouting out loud "Screw yer neighbour" ...

      Delete
    3. Actually, so can I.

      ;)

      Delete
  5. How lovely! I think I would like some one day (not on the balcony, obviously). I hope Rummy grows to tolerate them (or at least not eat them all) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure a chicken would be a good thing in a flat. Though you can get chicken nappies (apparently).

      They are adolescents, so are still small enough to attract his attention. Once they get a bit bigger, they'll be able to see him off. I think he's getting the idea that he's not supposed to eat them. He does rush them, but not with much energy behind it. No, I'm still not trusting him with them at the moment.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous10:13 am

    Wow, what a wild outfit !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right.

      Thought I'd have a change. :)

      Delete

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