Poor Goldie. She has only one of her three little chicks left. One was sickly and died within a few days of hatching but the other two were healthy and strong. Last night she suddenly changed her routine and tried to call them up onto the steps to roost but they refused to obey and she gave in and went and slept down in the yard. I thought it was threatening rain that had her agitated but this morning one chicken was gone, the victim of a carpet snake we believe. Tonight there was no stopping her she would not give in to this last chick. She knew what was best for him. Sleeping down in the yard was not an option. She worked and worked on that chicken settling until he was almost snuggled in under her wing and then up and off again until the poor little thing was nearly asleep on its feet. Then she hopped up the four treads to the top of the steps, calling and encouraging until she had that chicken snuggled in under her wing. Animal instinct never ceases to amaze me.
