When there’s something wrong with the chickens, either real or perceived, they make the most horrible screeching sound.  It may be something as simple as a scary leaf blowing by or a weird bird circling too closely.  I’ve never gone out to find a dog or coyote or anything like that.  I once found an empty charcoal bag blowing by.  Vince had left a near empty bag on the front porch and the wind blew it over, the few lumps of charcoal had tumbled out and the bag was spooking the chickens.  It’s easy to pinpoint where to look because they’re ALL standing their with their necks stretched out, looking in the exact same direction.

This morning I was working in the kitchen and heard their distress cry and went running out.  As happens almost always, I saw nothing.  I always check on the Dominique chickens first because they’re running loose and most vulnerable to predators.  They were fine.  I walked over to check for eggs in the Dominique house and then, just for heck of it, raised the egg door to the bantams and Louise was off the nest.  First time I’ve seen her off in 10 days.  I know she gets off but just for short periods to get water and food.  Here’s what she’s setting on.

Eight eggs.  I wonder if the four back eggs are the ones she’s planning to hatch and the four front eggs are the ones that she’s confiscated from Tiffany.  I would have thought they would all be closer together and in a little circle but . . what do I know?

And, here the three of them are out discussing the events of the day.  Thelma, Louise and you can barely see Tiffany’s brown tail feathers.  It isn’t dark outside . . it had the flash off and was afraid if I took time to turn it back on, Louise would run back and get on the nest and I would miss getting the picture.

Considering how horribly unsanitary chickens are, I cannot figure out how Thelma and Louise manage to stay so perfectly white!  I never see a spot on those two.