Conchita returns to the flock

Just four weeks after hatching her brood, Conchita has today returned to her little flock in the top corner of the Church field. I think she was much relieved; I put her in the chicken removal vehicle - aka the cat basket - at opening up time this morning and transported her down to her mates and, as soon as the door was opened, she flew out, shaking her feathers in a terrible paddy; there was nothing but clucks and chuckles with them for the first 15 minutes or so - perhaps she was telling them all about the joys of broodyhood and how exciting it was being shut in with little chicks all day and night. As for Merlin, well ... he was most delighted to have her back. If she gave another thought to her chicks, she showed no sign of it, going about her business, bossing everyone about as usual. And the chicks? They seemed quite contented all day long, going about their usual affairs. They didn't seem quite so happy though when it came to shutting up time - extra early for them tonight - rushing around in their little house frantically wondering where to go and what to do for the best. Clearly, they're used to Conchita telling them exactly what to do. After alternately cowering in the corner and dashing madly up and down, they did eventually settle. Poor little things. Usually they sleep in a box with her so they will probably miss her cosy warm feathers for a night or two.

You'll see from the picture that she has luxurious, dense feathering. This is because her breed, the Cochin (she is a lavender Cochin) originate in Asia so needed the warm feathering to withstand harsh winters. They were brought over to England by the Victorians who prized them for their meat as much as their manners. If Conchita is anything to go by, they are very calm and gentle birds who never fuss or get excited but do like to be at the top of the pecking order. She's usually the last out of the Chicken House in the mornings and invariably the first to go to roost in the evenings and, when it rains, she'll mostly be found sitting inside looking out on the world - probably because her feathers weigh very heavy when they are wet! Anyway, she's been an excellent broody this year and raised 3 handsome chicks. Unfortunately, the fourth one was suffocated by those same feathers a week or so ago - but we cannot blame Conchita for that. Let's just hope that at least 2 of the remaining chicks are hens! It is doubtful though. More likely to be 3 cockerels - but it's far too early to tell yet.