When It's Time For Bed

Each evening the bedding down ritual is the same, though herself and I are not often present to bear witness.

It is incredibly convenient that chickens naturally put themselves to bed as the sun wanes to a certain point. In cold weather, shortly after dark, all ne has to do is close the peep door and then open it again in the morning to let the flock out of the coop for the new day dawning. There are even solar powered or timer powered devices for those fancy coop types to open and close the door with the timing of the sunlight. In warm weather, it's well enough to just leave the door open and let the flock come and go as you please (provided your run is secure from predators!)

Well, yesterday herself and I happened to be sitting on the porch enjoying a fine summer evening at just the right moment.

The gathering darkness had sent all of the hens into the coop as usual. Except for Hortense. As usual.

Every night it's the same. Coq Au, after a long day of keeping watch, listening to the petty disputes that arise amongst the girls, and being generally angry has had just about enough and is often the first to drift in and settle on a good spot on the roosts. He's followed shortly thereafter by several of the girls who nestle in on this side or that of him. A couple of hens mill about outside for a time chatting away with the day's gossip, or plotting dark lots that exist only in the minds of chickens.

They drift in by and by and with a little shuffling, they find suitable spots on the roost.

Hortense likes to stay out late and enjoy the evening solitude for just a little longer. In our first year with the flock, I was vaguely troubled by this. Is she at the bottom of the pecking order? Is she getting picked on? Nope. Seldom, if ever. She seems to delight in the company of the flock just as much as she does in her alone time, and they never seem to pay her comings and goings much mind at all. It's just the way she is.

Whether she is gifted with exceptional night vision or just stubborn about bed time, I can't say. When she does eventually drift in, it is usually pretty dark and she must find her own spot in the roost.

We don't peek in, lest we disturb the nightly bedding down ritual, but we can hear the sometimes uncomfortable 'conversation' that ensues.

Hortense: "psst, ease over, will ya? I want to squeeze in up there."

Myrtle, in her drowsiness: "Huh? How's that? Sod off, I just got comfortable."

Hermione: "If you wanted a spot you should've cone to bed earlier!"

Hortense: "Alright then, coming up anyway, ready or not!"

You can hear her leap up followed by the gentle thud of she missing her mark, or perhaps knocking a sleeping hen off in her attempts to squeeze in. Mind you, there is room for all, but they have a way of spreading themselves in such a manner as to make the least efficient use of the space as possible

The argument goes back and forth for a good ten minutes and I can only imagine Coq Au's growing frustration over the disturbance.

On the rare occasions where I have peeked through the window at just the right time, Coq Au can be seen keeping quiet, keeping his head down, and wisely not getting involved in the squabble.

Well, they work out there own politics eventually, peace is restored, and another successful day of 'chickening' draws to a close.

Good night, my little flock. I'll see you in the morning.