Two New Girls

Alas: Poor Julia

There are now 5 girls.

Due to a most awful disaster we lost Julia. I do not mean we carelessly misplaced her.  I mean she was murdered by the little dog from next door.
It was somewhat surprising (and of course, terribly upsetting) to me, as Mattie (the murderess) is smaller than the girls and I don't think she really meant to end Julia's life. The whole incident, I suppose, must be called manslaughter or chookslaughter (although that does sound a bit Stegglesque) as a result of a rather over exuberant game of chasey. 
Anyway Mattie's mama was utterly mortified when I told her of the sweet little pookie pie's afternoon entertainment and we have come to an agreement as to the alternate hours of confinement and freedom for respective dog and chookies.
So:
I had decided that I really needed two more girls as I am back 'into' eggs and Shirley will only ever be able to produce eency weency eggs. 

This is Fiona

Once the new girls were home I had to come up with names for them quick smart to cement their places in the family.

I remembered that my very first and very bestest friend in the whole wide world was Fiona or FeeOWna as I apparently called her. I met her at the start of prep and we instantly became friends. Her parents were Scottish and 3/4 way through the year they moved back to Scotland. I was gutted! My mum kept some beautiful artwork that I dedicated to FeeOWna some 54 years ago. I do remember her and have school pictures to help prompt that memory.
Anyway Fiona had dark red hair - so naturally I had to call my Rhode Island Red beauty

Fiona!

This is Rosemary

Then many years later in High School I had another redhead as a friend. Her hair was more strawberry blonde really but still showed through some ginger.
Her name was Rosemary and I thought this too would be a most suitable and dignified name for my lovely Isa Brown chookie.

Rosemary (foreground) and Fiona looking a little bit grotty and disheveled having just arrived from the breeders large and muddy pen full of bossy and self serving brothers and sisters.

Shirley has filled out a lot and looks so pretty with her fluffy feathers.

Bess, Miss Pinches and Shirley

The other three have grown so much in the last 3 weeks. Their feathers are full and lustrous and their bloomers fluffy and plush.
There is just a slight 'establishment of the pecking order' issue going on since the new girls arrived. Bess has become extremely bossy and 'top chookish' and Miss Pinches has been just plain mean! Fancy jumping on Fiona's back and trying to grind her into the ground - REALLY! I mean to say! Such unladylike behaviour - disgraceful. Bess had got the ball rolling though by grabbing Rosemary's leg in her beak and having a red hot go at snapping it in half! Rosemary's protestations were succinct and effective in procuring her release - and Thank Heavens I say - I was imaging this poor one legged chook for the rest of her life. Awful goings on, just awful!
Anyway at bedtime the 3 older girls were on their perch and the newbies were on the floor huddled together in the corner beside the perch. Hopefully they will all be getting on well soon.