Just now I picked up the injured one to examine her leg.
She was crying.
Shorty perked up listening.
I put the baby in the box and for the first time Shorty went in the box of her own accord.
It's so odd--they'll climb under her, but she's not doing that classic hen posture.
She'll get down on her side as if to say, "Look I'm in here taking in the heat. If you REALLY MUST, you can lean on me."
It's really quite fascinating.
Aunt Shorty allowed the chicks to sleep with her.
The next day, she was still ignoring them, but half-way through the day I heard the MOMMY CLUCK!
Good old Shorty had decided to love those babies.
There was Shorty, taking up a piece of sweet corn, throwing it down and clucking the "eat, eat" sound.
Atta girl!
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This is all quite interesting.
The chicks were at least one week, so they have not imprinted.
They won't obey her lots of the time.
She gets frustrated with them.
Sometimes one will be under Lucky or Anna Godfrey and they won't respond to Shorty.
She can't see them then starts up the alarm call.
You just KNOW the damn things will turn out to be roos.
I'm worried that the feed store lady, who promised to take them back if male, will "forget" when the time comes.
Well, hell, I couldn't let Gimpy die, could I?
The leg is still not right, but she can balance on it and bend it more than before.
I think if she'd rest it, but you know chicks, hopping, fighting for food, and running after mom...
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