Problem: Becky the silkie has hatched out five chickens from eggs that were laid by other hens in the poultry yard. Will the baby chicks be accepted?

Solution: In poultry in particular a very special pecking order applies. From the top hen to the bottom! Putting these chicks back with the others while they were still small could mean injury, as the adult hens sought to make sure the babies stayed at the bottom of 'the order'. The rooster in the yard kept right out of things: this was secret girls' business!

We introduced Becky and her brood in a portable wire crate in the yard. They had their own food, water, and shelter, and were able to contact the other fowls through the wire. In time, when the chicks are fully grown, they can join the other adults, but there will still be a need to sort out who is the boss and who is next in charge.