woohoo- a real battle!!!!

[Nicos]

My oh my...you should have seen it!!!

Albert peacock freaked out as my OH walked past with the wheel barrow and flew into the hen enclosure.
Betty ( tiny Bantam- 1lb in weight if that!!!) was near where he landed with her 2 chicks.
The chicks legged it to cover and she fluffed herself up to as big as a ruby ball() and attacked the peacock

Thinking about it- he must be at least 10x her size- she was flying and jabbing at him and he was defending himself by sparring with his feet.
Full scale battle

All the others ran for cover and stood watching them.
Clearly Betty was distracting him away from her chicks...but what a brave sole- he was just defending himself and as soon as OH went in to break up the scrap he legged it off at top speed and flew off into the field screeching his head off.

Now THAT's what I call brave...good old Betty protecting her babies.

Au Vin the cockerel???...nowhere to be seen- he was hiding with the other gals and 2 chicks

( and yes- Betty is fine- I've just checked her over- and no cuts to be seen)

[lynda66]

au vin was *coff* making sure the others were ok .... just like a bloke lol ....... good on you betty ..... tis amazing the lengths they'll go to to protect their babies innit .... bless

[RichmondHens]

What a sight it must have been - glad Betty was unhurt.

[lynda66]

you should keep the video camera handy though in case it happens again

[elizajay]

Lovely story, good big brave Betty!!!

[binley100]

My Mum used to keep Banty hens and she always said had twice as much bravery than their size...... Give that hen a treat

[polo]

Dont mess with a mother!

[Glutton4...]

So 'small-man syndrome' applies to Banties as well as JR Terriers! Excellent - if only there were pictures!

[Nicos]

Ha..well ..I'm not going to offer to chuck Albert in again and take a piccie!!

He has been in previously with no probs- but not since Betty had her chicks


(Actually- if I could catch him, he'd be transported back to where he came from!..he's eaten nearly all of my blackberries and lettuce this year- plus almost everything which hasn't been netted)
Positive side though- is that we have a grand selection of moulted tail feathers!!!

[Glutton4...]

Does he sit outside your bedroom window and 'HONK!" at three in the morning?

They're not popular when they start that, I can tell you!

[Nicos]

Yes- he honks- but so far only at about 7am!

[Allotment Nerd]

au vin was *coff* making sure the others were ok .... just like a bloke lol ....... good on you betty ..... tis amazing the lengths they'll go to to protect their babies innit .... bless

Indeed you'll find the male will protect the pack...its..er...nothing to do with being scard.....honest.