Today was colder out and we went to church this morning, so no one got to come out until a couple hours before dark.
Minna went missing as I was putting everyone to bed; after making a circuit of the yard many times, we had almost given her up for lost, when I suddenly caught sight of her taking a sand bath under a bush. Thank heavens!
Winston tried to attack my younger (teenage) sister but she ran up on the deck. He knows she's scared of him and runs after her every chance he gets. I would keep him locked up but he's an excellent protector for the hens and they love him (for the most part).
Winston trying to peck me through the chicken wire
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I was watching everyone get ready for bed tonight; it's a good time to observe the pecking order, make sure everyone is acting normally, and just meditate about any number of things. Since Winston joined the hens, the pecking order has changed a little. Prudence is now top hen, probably because she is Winston's favorite. Rose and Lyd tie for second place, and Minna is at the bottom. I have noticed she usually sleeps next to Winston, even though she is his least favorite hen. I don't think he picks on her. On the flip side, she bullies the Biddies to the point where they are terrified. It is unfortunate because I don't like to see her feathers ragged from the constant picking of the other hens.
This was not their final positions for the night; they are still preparing for bed.
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In the Biddies' subgroup, Jenny is clearly at the bottom even though she is the oldest and biggest; Dolores and Viv tie for first place. They love to sleep huddled up together like they did when they were chicks, even though they are all big and fluffy.
The turkeys are desperate to have Eva mate with them; it's frustrating yet amusing because they are so persistent. I am hoping to find them a good Tom, but that's unlikely - who's going to part with a well-behaved male turkey?
Every evening Rita runs to her nest and sits on it while Frank tries to bite me as I finish chores. Rita's eggs take up two of the chicken's eggs. I made one, and it fit nicely in a small tortilla. It was incredible to see that big egg!
It's going to be nice tomorrow so I mean to get some work done outside, and will post pictures of the completed projects!
Henry Napoleon (his new nickname is Napoleon because of his arrogant personality and small size) and Winnie
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I am going to post a random picture in addition to my updates on Eva’s friends because I have a lot of them and no one to share them with :
Random picture: the Jefferson Memorial
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Winston may be ornery, but he is handsome! And your ducks are lovely too. Thanks for sharing your pictures!