As a chick, May was fearless and always engaged. Her name is short for “the Mayor” given to her when she was still a tiny fluffball. Whenever I approached, she would rush to see me, seeming to be briefing me on their level of satisfaction with the accommodations. Then Kaia and Ciarán grew much larger than she, forcing her to be lower in rank.
May continues to be my closest friend, always looking for a cuddle, jumping up onto my lap when given the opportunity. May radiates welcoming kindness, and follows me everywhere as I care for them morning and night.
As the pecking order plays out in every flock, where each hen sleeps in the coop reflects their status. I designed the coop to have one long 2×4 perch for everyone to roost at the same level. This worked very well for my first generation of chickens, but has evolved with this second generation. May, although her petit size has her 3rd or 4th in the pecking order, she has found a way to roost in the rafters of the coop, enough headspace for her and Raven, but too small for Kaia and Ciarán. That always makes me smile – May breaking the chicken glass ceiling.
Evyrmore Farm 