Flying the nest!

Earlier this summer my White Hen (actually named Madame Pompadour), went broody. I decided to let her sit but had nearly given up hope, when one morning I heard faint peeping sounds coming from beneath her large feathery bottom and..

This is what I found!

There were still more brown eggs waiting

But we decided to move them and the Mother to a smaller pen to in order keep them safe

Our cat Mali was a most interested spectator!

After two more days another chick arrived-

And that completed the family!
As both the chicks are charcoal grey we think that the true Mother was actually Big Black Hen but Madame loves her babies and protects them ferociously!
They are growing rapidly and last weekend we moved the family back into the main hen area, just shutting them away in the smaller pen at nights.
Last night however, I was a little late going to catch and put them to bed. Now you remember I have told of my hens' unusual habit of roosting in our apple tree ( whatever the weather) ?

Well, Madame has taught her chicks the family skill...

'Duck is on the leaft up-side-down and Grouse is safely tucked in

It was the most charming and funny sight I have seen in a long time- How on earth they managed to hop, flap and scramble up there I don't know-

But this morning they were back down in the run safe and sound and loudly demanding their breakfast!

We have had many fine nests of beautiful eggs before-

But their contents have never given us such pleasure!