Thelma and Louise

That's it. We have officially become crazy chicken people.  I suspected that would be the case when we welcomed Coco, but today it became crystal clear when Emi sent me this picture.

Thelma's very first egg (on the right)

Two weeks ago, our flock increased to three when we welcomed Thelma and Louise - a pair of Hy-Line Browns (checkout my chicken knowledge).  We collected the girls from Talking Hens down in Main Ridge and were a little worried how Coco would react to having room mates. 

L-R Thelma, Coco and Louise

Not impressed, lots of squawking and she managed to get herself stuck between the coop and the wall, but a bit of prodding with the broom and she was free. After her fright, Coco was quick to ensure the two new interlopers knew exactly who ruled the roost and who was top of the pecking order.  So a bit of bully behaviour (hen pecked is a perfect term), but Thelma is a plucky thing and little Louise, just kept out of the way. 

There was a bit of argy bargy when it came time for bed, but eventually the three girls settled in for the night after a bit of cackling and all three were beady eyed and fluffy feathered the next morning.

Since then, they seem to have settled down and no sign of injury or blood loss.  Queen Coco continues to be the boss, but Thelma is very friendly and likes being stroked and Louise is growing and catching up in size. 

Coco has been laying an egg nearly every day - not bad for an 18 month old hen.  And today, Thelma laid her very first egg. So proud.  Figure they must be reasonable happy.  They certainly get excited and talkative whenever we head outside - they come running over to us to see what we've brought them!  They love roaming free and have made no attempts to escape - our own mobile fertiliser factory. 

Who knew that chickens could make such cute and funny pets?  We're pretty sure that if we opened the back door they'd come right on in and hop up onto the couch.  As for Lola, she's like their big  sister chasing away any other birds that pop down to steal the food.  So although she doesn't "love them" their her chickens, in her garden so she has to protect them.