Lana and Ted
Have Been Sleeping on the Back Porch at Night
Lana Catalana of Seville, a Buff Catalana hen is our fiercest mother hen. She has quite literally launched flying assaults as anyone, man and beast alike, she perceives as potential threats to her and her baby. One thing about Lana, she always hatches her chicks in or near the courtyard behind our house. Although we've tried to change her ways, she refuses to use the chicken yard or coop like any "common broody hen”. This courtyard ritual adds to her heightened sense of threat, as there is a lot of activity in and around there as we and our dog, Bekah, come and go. At our family gathering on the 4th of July, Lana was sternly and steadfastly setting on her clutch (nest) of two eggs on the porch chair next to the back door. Two days later, on July 6, she successfully hatched one chick, little Ted. Shortly after Lana hatched Ted, she moved to and cared for her youngster on the ground. We put the top of a plastic litter box cover over them. It had a wide opening that allowed them easy in and out access, while also providing shelter and protection. It's served as their home for the past two weeks as they've explored the shrubs and areas surrounding the courtyard. The other night, however, Lana, who is a very accomplished and successful mother, decided Ted was ready for preschool: It was time for Ted to learn to flap his little wings, hop and fly up to a safer night nest on the porch chair. Now, every night, just outside the kitchen windows, out on the back porch, we find Lana snuggled into the chair cushion and little Ted safely underneath. From time to time, he pokes his head out, peeks around, stretches a bit, and then pops back under Lana and returns to sleep. If you listen closely you can hear Ted cooing softly to his Mom, with little cheeps of gratitude and happiness. Good night, Ted. Sleep well.
Tomorrow will another busy day. If you enjoyed this story, we invite you to sit back and enjoy Chicken Diaries blog hosted by the Houston Chronicle In our periodic blog entries, we feature new photos, Chickadoo Suz stories, great links to chicken information and more. It's a good way to stay in touch with what's happening here on the farm, gather new tips, share insights, etc. And, when you visit be sure to add your feedback, comments and questions, we'd love hearing from you. May your nest be abundantly feathered and all your nest eggs hatch beyond your wildest dreams. Chickadoo
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