(no subject)
Shortest days are here and the chickens are still laying.
As of this morning they've adopted a young squirrel. No, that's wrong -- chickens are animals with strong opinions regarding the membership of their social groups. As of this morning they've permitted a young squirrel to squat between their coop's wire roof and slant of corrugated plastic, unharassed, unannounced by alarm calls. When I opened the coop door, it ran in while they all ran out in their usual socially-determined order and pacing. Maybe it's beneath their notice.
I chased the squirrel around the coop and petted it a few times, making affectionate noises, as a means of encouraging it to leave terrified. It avoided my attentions with no more panic than some of the chickens use, apparently judging it optimal to dodge me within a yard of the feeder. I had to pick it up by the tail before it'd head out the open door. As soon as I walked out, it poured itself along the wire and back in.
I splashed a little water at it, but didn't take any stronger measures. New pet? It is a holiday.
Terminology clarification for housemates: I'm still calling the wood-enclosed roosting area the "hen house", the hen house plus its attached, covered lock-up area the "coop", and the large, fenced daytime range the "run". I am aware that your usage differs.
As of this morning they've adopted a young squirrel. No, that's wrong -- chickens are animals with strong opinions regarding the membership of their social groups. As of this morning they've permitted a young squirrel to squat between their coop's wire roof and slant of corrugated plastic, unharassed, unannounced by alarm calls. When I opened the coop door, it ran in while they all ran out in their usual socially-determined order and pacing. Maybe it's beneath their notice.
I chased the squirrel around the coop and petted it a few times, making affectionate noises, as a means of encouraging it to leave terrified. It avoided my attentions with no more panic than some of the chickens use, apparently judging it optimal to dodge me within a yard of the feeder. I had to pick it up by the tail before it'd head out the open door. As soon as I walked out, it poured itself along the wire and back in.
I splashed a little water at it, but didn't take any stronger measures. New pet? It is a holiday.
Terminology clarification for housemates: I'm still calling the wood-enclosed roosting area the "hen house", the hen house plus its attached, covered lock-up area the "coop", and the large, fenced daytime range the "run". I am aware that your usage differs.