Musical Coops

So over the past few days, both parts of the Topknot Gang have been spending the day out exploring the garden. Usually, they stay in two separate groups, only occasionally going near each other. Often there seems to be considerable confusion between Cumulus and Asperitas. This can lead to hilarious moments where Aurora, Arcus and Coco (who have been sunbathing or scratching with someone they think is Cumulus) suddenly spot the interloper and freak out. Asperitas the Interloper is chased off and the rest of the group head off in search of their missing comrade. Meanwhile, a very confused Asperitas heads back towards Stratus, Nimbus and Trixie.

Equally as hilarious is when Cumulus gets mistaken for Asperitas by Nimbus, Status and Trixie. The same horrified realisation that it’s the wrong chicken and the subsequent chase. I really do wonder about the mental capacity of our older silkies, Nimbus and Stratus. The spend all their time with Asperitas – why does it take them so long to recognise Cumulus? It’s very odd.

But as they have spent more time outside, we have noticed that the two groups are beginning to blend together. One night earlier in the week, my husband tried to round them all into their respective coops, only for all eight birds to dash into the same coop. I wish I had been there as he tried to extract Aurora, Arcus, Cumulus and Coco and shoo them into their coop! More and more, they are mixing in the garden which is lovely and hopefully they will become one flock in a few more weeks (assuming the British weather cooperates and DEFRA doesn’t bring back Flockdown).

This evening, I again tried to round up the girls. Aurora, Arcus, Cumulus and Coco were all cuddled up in a fluffy bundle under the bee bush by the patio. Weirdly, as I chivvied the girls to their coop, Trixie followed me. Turning around, I discovered her loitering, clearly wanting to go into the purple Omlet after the girls. It took some coaxing but she went in. Rather nonplussed, I shut the run door and turned my attention to the other three. The older girls are very good about taking themselves back in and it’s usually a quick dash along the run and shut the door before they try to pile outside.

All seemed calm in the coops for half an hour. Then the quiet was shattered by loud, argumentative squawking. I ran outside to find Trixie shouting her head off, completely terrorising the others. Honestly, that bird is an absolute menace! Reaching down, I opened the coop and picked up the offending bird. She was not impressed at being removed, picked up and deposited in her usual home. Quite what the Topknot Gang will get up to tomorrow is impossible to guess!