Cackle, cackle!!

We had a commotion going on outside. It sounded like one of the hens had escaped and was telling the world she'd found a new secret laying site.

We were worried as Midgy still sees the hens as playthings, so out of the house we rushed to see what was going on.

Well, it turns out that all the hens were quite safe. One of our two young Black Australorps is just breaking in her voice. She didn't stop for us, either. On and on she cackled, the sound bouncing off the side colourbond fence and reverberating into the house and surrounds. She sounds much like a young boy's voice breaking: loud and edgy.

Sunday and Little Foot hatched in Dec '09, so are coming on to 18 weeks. Their lovely iridescent plumage looks brilliant in the sunlight. Mariposa coaxed them both out of their mobile hutch and let them have a run around (with the pup tied up at the kennel) and cuddle. It was also a good time to grab the camera.