Ruby is molting, and it’s a pretty big molt. Normally, when a chicken is molting, they are extra grumpy or stressed or cranky. I can see no difference in Ruby. She’s always kind of grumpy, stressed, and cranky, but she looks extra cute. It’s like she’s covered in little balls of cotton, and I just want to touch her feathers. Obviously, that is a hard no from Ruby.
She is back to asking to be let out of the coop in the morning into the front and driveway area. Since Petty and her babies finally moved in with the main flock, Ruby wants her old stomping grounds back, and we oblige her.
The best thing is when she’s ready to go back to the coop in the afternoons. She watches the front door, and when she sees me walk by in the window, she charges the door. When I see her do this, I get my shoes and go try to let her in to the coop.
I saw try because, sometimes, other chickens are in her way, and she won’t go into the coop at that time. I have to keep an eye and check back later. Ruby will do what Ruby will do and on her own time.
Yesterday, she did this when I walked by the front door, so I grabbed my shoes and the egg basket and went to collect the eggs while I was outside. I went into the coop, and Ruby followed behind me. I was busy collecting the eggs when I saw Ruby hop up into a nest box behind me.
The next thing I knew, that chicken pecked me, like hard, on the arm. “Ruby!” I said. “Why?” She stopped and looked at me, and I had a feeling that she was doing it to keep me in line. I would love any insights if you have any and know Ruby from her stories, but I think she’s maybe just really, really bossy.
