I felt total relief to see Chloe had returned to the chicken pen this morning.  The wind has been so strong wouldn’t be surprised if she’s had a supersonic flight back.  She spent 3 nights in the bush sitting in her tree as the rain lashed down and the wind was blowing at gale force proportions.

I’m sure she would have been safe up there if not a little seasick from the movement of the manuka trees.  Good to know that after only a short time here at Domestic Executive HQ she knows where home is.

Home means food, a covered and secure house and some cosy nesting boxes.  Even if that means sharing with the other hens.  I do like this little chicken, her wonderful white features and contrasting black spots.  A truly speckled hen.

She was pretty hungry I think, running towards the food.

No sense in being shy when there are leftover chips to be had.  Not very health conscious but this chook deserved a little treat after her bush adventures.

I’m pretty sure she was enjoying these.  I’m not sure she’d appreciate the sense of irony though – chicken and chips!

George the mad rooster was pleased to see her too.  He generously didn’t chase her off the chips – well not for a while at least.

Chickens are not the cleverest of birds.  It takes a number of times it takes them to head butt the netting before they finally get the message that there is something in their way.

She knows food though.  This time left over and slightly dried out garlic bread.

Only the best artisan bread for our chooks!

Who seem to be playing nicely for the moment at least.

The Plymouth Bared Rocks were already huddling up in the chicken house.  Two of them have almost no feathers and I can tell you it must have felt very chilly on their exposed bodies with the southerly howling still.  And then came the rain.

There are extreme weather warnings this weekend – time to baton down the hatches and stay indoors.  Again!