Olive

 
I don't think that I have introduced you to Olive. 

After Pam died, Gwen was confused and lonely.  Chickens are not meant to live a solitary life and Gwen badly missed her BFF.  They would spend all their time together and if one trotted off to a particular part of the garden, the other would always follow, usually concerned that she might be missing out on something good to eat.

Jamie was adamant that we would not get another chicken, given how much garden-damage they inflict, but after two days of Gwen searching the garden in vain for her companion, I could not leave her to be so sad. 

"You MUST give me the number of  all your farmer-friends" I demanded.  "I'm going to start phoning round to see if anyone can spare a chicken to keep Gwen company"

"No can't do that" he said "I've phoned everyone I can think of already!"
 
 
 

A few days later there was a knock at the door. 
 A friend of Jamie's was standing on the doorstep holding a hessian sack.  He reached in and pulled out a startled little hen.

 

I believe she is a Sussex Silver.
 

 

She's a funny little thing.  She is very nervous and won't come anywhere near us, belting off in the opposite direction every time we go in the garden.  She has stout little legs and isn't the prettiest chicken I've ever seen.
 

 

But she does keep Gwen company and she even lays the occasional egg.