The Misadventures of Pickles

It has been quite the week here at Happy Mama Acre! I must say I’ve spent the better part of it with a silly grin on my face watching the animals, especially the baby chicks and their mamas. After watching them so much, I got a good idea of their personalities. So…meet Pickles and Pepper.

Pickles.

Pepper

The babies were introduced to the barnyard at exactly one week old. I started opening the door to the nursery a few days after they hatched knowing Aretha and Belle would bring them out when they were ready. The time was right on Sunday morning—out they came! Everyone was curious, but the mamas—especially Aretha—made them keep their distance.

That’s close enough.

It was an uneventful day…until evening. The mamas moved closer to the coop, pecking around the door for a while. Then, Belle hopped in. Aretha followed. Pepper looked confused for a minute but flew up to the door with ease.

Time for bedtime kiddies! Let’s head in now.

Here I come Mom!

Next up, Pickles. Pickles? Pickles looked up, froze and started shrieking. Oh, Pickles.

Where did they go? What am I supposed to do? Aaugh!

Everyone hopped back out and regrouped. I got in on the action by adding what I hoped would serve as a step stool in front of the door.

Pickles, this is not hard, even for a baby chick. You can do it, sweetie!

Even Jessie tried to help. Just hop up like this, Pickles. It’s easy!

Try #2 soon started. Mamas and Pepper totally ignored the tub and flew up to the door opening. Pickles shrieked again and started running around the coop trying to follow the stern clucks from the mamas some way other than flying up to the door. Good grief. I scooped her up and returned her to the coop.

Young lady I’ve had enough of this! Get in here now!

Sometimes we need a helping hand.

The next night we had dinner with friends and I closed the coops up late. I counted chicken heads and looked in on the mamas. They were sleeping and all was quiet so I assumed all was well. Imagine my surprise the next morning when I headed outside and all of a sudden heard Pickles shrieking…and saw her running in circles outside the coop door! I’m guessing that while we were gone the mamas got tired of trying to get her into the coop, told her hide and keep quiet till morning. She was sure happy to see her mamas when they came storming out looking for her!

We are going to have a little talk right now!

Seems like it might not be the last of Pickles’ adventures. Later that day, I saw the foursome sitting quietly in the shade close to the gate as I headed out to check on things. Doink headed their way and the mamas hopped up to move aside. Pickles went left when everyone else went right…and was now on the other side of the gate. The mamas were clucking like crazy and Pickles was freaking out. Even though Doink left the area quickly (treats are given elsewhere so he doesn’t stay long after a good head scratch!) Pickles couldn’t figure out how to simply go back under the gate. She wound up on the wrong side of the fence at the run.

Now what???

It’s good she’s easy to catch. I scooped her up and reunited her with her mamas. I have a feeling she’s going to be very comfortable being held…this is probably not the last time a rescue will be needed!

But as we say, all’s well that ends well.