Today...

...was the first day the chickens spent the whole day outside.

This is the result of Stephen and I noticing that they are getting a bit big for their inside ... um... coop? house? playspace? brooder? apple shaped children's sandpit? Anyway, if they had a mom chicken, she would be taking them outside for most of the time now, teaching them how to fend for themselves and all. So we decided that they need to spend more time outside free ranging in the back garden on days we are home. More space, less mess, and chickens who don't think they live in the house. All good.

We set out plenty of water and food, and the garden is full of pretty tall broccoli, cabbage (both red and green) corn, aubergine and brussels sprouts, so they had lots of shade and dapples of sunshine. It was fairly warm today (it was about 80F) so plenty warm if they got cold, since they still need a heat lamp occasionally. I wanted to play in the garden with them. It looked like they were having so much fun.

They had a lovely time, but about halfway through the day Ashley came inside holding George. She was sitting outside watching them and they all 5 came and climbed all over her. So she decided they were saying they wanted to come in. That may have been true, but I'm mean, and made her take them back out. I find it amusing to think about them identifying Ashley as the one to cuddle up against in order to get their way.

Later, Stephen and I went shopping in town and left Ashley with the duty of staying downstairs (all the downstairs windows were open) and keeping the chickens out of the house. They tried, for the first time, to come into the kitchen. Ashley said they were standing in the doorway looking around in wonder. And they were all shocked when Ashley started flapping a dishcloth at them and telling them to shoo. It might have been the first time they heard the word shoo. And of course, it was Ashley doing it, so it must be.... a game! Yes, that's it! It's a game! A peck the flapping dishcloth game! Those are so fun, I'm telling you. Unless you are the Ashley trying to get chickens out of the kitchen before your mom gets home.

Anyway, that's my story!