Most of our hens are too timid to eat from our hands. There are a few exceptions, Mrs Orpington, Lemon and occasionally one or two other Banties. Lemon is rearing her five chicks and is fiercely protective. She makes sure that even the tiny, lame hen is with them all and learns to scratch and peck and flap its wings. It somehow manages to keep up with the others but I can’t see it ever getting big or climbing onto the hen house roof like some of the other youngsters.

This evening I offered Lemon a handful of corn. As soon as her chicks saw her eating from my hand they joined in.