Flock together. I am convinced that Oyster Cracker and Sunshine are best friends. They have been together since they were born. I am not sure, but it is entirely possible that they could even be sister. They are difficult to tell apart. Oyster Cracker has reached maturity a little faster and is a little bigger than Sunshine. Other than that, they are pretty much indistinguishable.
Interestingly enough, I have noticed that my chickens, from early on, like to be near chickens of the same breed. The Silkies stayed together and the Buff Orpingtons stayed together. I find this fascinating. It must be instinctual. Although, they can see themselves as they go about preening, eating and living their chicken lives; my chickens have never seen themselves in the mirror. How do they know what their own faces look like? How do they know what breed they are?
Oyster Cracker and Sunshine spend their entire days together. The always do the same things at the same time. They eat together. They scratch near each other in the dirt. They take dust baths together. They even sleep side by side each other with their feathers touching at night. I would even say they like to snuggle.
When I was little, I remember having a best friend. We were inseparable. We did everything together and could not wait to share our day’s event with one another. I miss having a BFF like I did when I was a little girl. I am so happy that Oyster Cracker and Sunshine reminded me of those sweet memories. In my busy adulthood, I had not thought about them much. Friendships are indeed something very special.