Integration began today. Well yesterday really. We put the newbie in a cage next to the older girls who were very disturbed by the frantic cheeping and squealing of the newbie who wanted to be in with them. The noise became intolerable! But we left it alone because they need to get to know each other. To make sure everyone was on the same page we invited the neighbors over for a look-see. While they were over, an eagle began circling ( seeing an easy lunch of course) Then the crows got involved and chased off the eagle. When I say crows I mean ALL the crows in Seattle . The cat was grousing through out the whole thing because she couldn't figure out why we wouldn't let her play with the new toy. And a mighty cacophony it was. All to welcome adorable David Hewlett home.
This morning bright and early I brought DH out and set up the cage and the noise started again. Just couldn't take that kind of racket again so we put Evil Elphie in the back of the pen and closed the gate and put DH in the front pen with the reds..... Keeping a watchful eye while they ignored her. The noise did stop. DH stayed a good six feet from them at all times and the reds kept giving her the butt. And all the while it was doing that grey Washington misty thing on us. Yes us. Jimmy and I had our morning coffee in the rain so a bunch of chickens could be happy. After about an hour we decided to let Elphie out to play and the baby went straight to her. Elphie of course took a lunge at her at I intervened. Jimmy said ' "some of that needs to happen" I let Elphie stay out and DH kept following her around until Elphie lunged again and came away with fluffy white feathers in her beak. So, back into isolation goes Elphie and all is serene again. Annnd it kept raining...... All the fair trade coffee in Seattle couldn't warm us up at that point and poor little David Hewlett was dripping. So, We put David back in the garage , let Elphie out and came in to get warm. If it warms up and dries out any today, we will do it again. It looks like this is going to be my life for the next week or so.
This morning bright and early I brought DH out and set up the cage and the noise started again. Just couldn't take that kind of racket again so we put Evil Elphie in the back of the pen and closed the gate and put DH in the front pen with the reds..... Keeping a watchful eye while they ignored her. The noise did stop. DH stayed a good six feet from them at all times and the reds kept giving her the butt. And all the while it was doing that grey Washington misty thing on us. Yes us. Jimmy and I had our morning coffee in the rain so a bunch of chickens could be happy. After about an hour we decided to let Elphie out to play and the baby went straight to her. Elphie of course took a lunge at her at I intervened. Jimmy said ' "some of that needs to happen" I let Elphie stay out and DH kept following her around until Elphie lunged again and came away with fluffy white feathers in her beak. So, back into isolation goes Elphie and all is serene again. Annnd it kept raining...... All the fair trade coffee in Seattle couldn't warm us up at that point and poor little David Hewlett was dripping. So, We put David back in the garage , let Elphie out and came in to get warm. If it warms up and dries out any today, we will do it again. It looks like this is going to be my life for the next week or so.
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