She arrived a tthe age of about 6 weeks old, 18 months ago along with Fay the Fayoumi, as replacements for a bird that turned out to be a boy. She grew to be quite a large bird, at least as large as Poppy and Gloria (my Welsh Blacks).
She didn't - and doesn't - really understand the whole pecking order thing. The three youngsters obviously had their order sorted out from a young age. When we introduced them to the Big Girls, Poppy and Gloria were great advocates of the Pecking Order, and would Peck at every opporunity. The pecks seemed to bounce off Fleur, she almost didn't notice them.
Fleur mixed in both flocks. Poppy and Gloria didn't want her in their flock, but Fleur attempted to join them anyway, ignoring the hail of pecks.
Everything was fine, until they moulted last Autumn. Suddenly I noticed that Fleur was frightened of Sasha (the tiny Appenzeller). Even now, when they are all fullu feathered, I can see it. I Whenever Sasha comes anywhere near Fleur, Fleur runs (and Sasha chases). I think Sasha must have had a bit of a go at Fleur when Fleur was in an oven ready state, and I susepct it was a bit of a shock. Now I suspect their behaviour is habit.
With the Big Girls, Fleur will stop whatever she is doing, and turn her head away. For example, Fleur can be happily attepting to eat fromt he swinging cauliflower. If Poppy or Gloria turn up, Fleur stops eating, and turns away. She doesn't leave, she just turns away, and stands still. Poppy/Gloria then has their fill of the cauliflower and move off. As soon as the coast is clear, Fleur turns back and starts eating.
DH recently repaired the camera in the Run and today I watched them for a while. Same behaviour.
Makes me a little sad. She's such a gentle soul.
I don't have any recent pics of her - here's one from when she was very very younf (no comb or wattles!)
