We have decided to solve our problem of hens not sitting on their nests by acquiring some bantams, which we did at auction last weekend. While the majority were not breed specific (and have proven to potentially be young pullets just past chick stage rather than actually bantams), among our purchases were four Old English bantams  -  three lovely little hens and a proud little bantam rooster.

 They all fit comfortably into a standard pet carrier, although were less than thrilled to be so rudely acquainted; still, they survived to make it home to the farm, where we set about enclosing them in a mini-run of their own with straw bales and bird netting, to keep the other chickens separated for health, safety and sanity.

 While we worked on their enclosure, we also picked up the latest batches of eggs; it makes for a very pastoral image indeed, in a modern American way!

 The Old English birds were immediately and visibly less timid than the others, exploring their new surroundings right away. Only gradually did some of the other hens, the black ones, begin to follow suit, the buffs preferring to stay under cover.

 Perhaps the most amusing part of the whole thing is the new cock's crow; he gets into crowing competitions with the other two all the time, and he sounds just about exactly like a squeaky chew toy. It's a good thing we don't keep dogs!