Farmlette events...

 Three weeks ago, two of our goats, Grace and Glory, went to live at a friend's house. Her elderly goats had passed and she missed them. Grace was here as a dairy goat but hated being milked. My friend wanted goats for pets, not milking, so this seemed a good fit. Since goats are herd creatures, I didn't want her to be alone, so I sent her daughter Glory with her. They are very bonded, and I thought they would be happy in this new place. 

Livestock can be unpredictable, and Grace was startled the first morning at her new place. Then she found a weak spot in the fence and busted out. Instead of staying close to her daughter, who was still in the pasture, she headed down the driveway. Her new owner followed. A few houses down, the goat saw some cows and approached them. They chased her into the woods and disappeared. Her new owner, her neighbors, Chris, and I searched for her daily. She was seen from time to time, just 100 yards from where she should have been, but no one could catch her. The story goes on, with lots of emotional ups and downs but there is a happy ending. A talented neighbor caught her, and Grace is now safe in her new home and reunited with her daughter. She's a little thinner and seems a bit confused, but she is eating and drinking, and all the humans who have worried, fretted, and searched feel a big sense of relief. 

Meanwhile, about 20 days ago, one of my lavender Orpington hens went broody. This means she was feeling in a family way and wanted to incubate some eggs. For about 18 days, she sat on the nest, only leaving for a few moments a day to eat, drink, and eliminate. She was a dedicated mother-to-be. Then another chicken decided to go broody, too and wedged into the first chicken's nest.  I tried to discourage this but failed. A few days later, two eggs hatched. The hen who had carefully tended and warmed those eggs claimed the adorable chicks as her own. So did the hen that only dedicated two days to their care. 

When it is time to eat, both hens call the chicks. Both hens pick up morsels of food and hold it so the chicks can grab it. And when it's time to rest... 

both hens snuggle in a nest box, wing to wing. The chicks burrow under their warm feathers to rest in safety. It makes me chuckle to think our new chicks have two mommies.