Hi, everyone!
Just want to share a poem that I found in the latest issue of a homeschooling magazine I subscribe to (just out of interest, it's put out by a friend of mine locally for homeschooled teenage girls). Apparently, the poem's from a book called "Australian Poems that would Cheer and Chook":
If you're a poultry farmer you've probably heard the name
Of that ornamental chicken that's called Old English game.
A descendant of the fighting cock, unlike the Delaware,
That’s a dual-purpose chicken from America somewhere.
It's white and rapid-growing and the eggs it lays are born,
As are the eggs of Orpingtons from some old Kentish town.
The Orpington's a heavy bird, an popular with cooks;
But we're not into fancy names, us Aussies call them chooks.
A very tasty chicken, or so I’ve heard it said,
Is another breed from USA, the plump New Hampshire red.
They're fairly new, as fowl breeds go, unlike the bird Malay;
'Which is an ancient Asian fowl from some far yesterday.
Then there's the Jersey Giant, a quite outstanding sight!
Weighing up to thirteen pounds, it can be black or white .
But despite their size or heritage, regardless of their looks,
I'm sure, that if we saw them, we'd simply call them chooks!
Barneveld come from Holland a dual-purpose breed,
As is the Dorking chicken; its legs are short indeed!
From China comes the silky, a fluffy, little bird,
Whose different type of feathers makes it look a touch absurd!
The Australorp's Australian, and produces many eggs;
And the Andalusia’s Spanish, with long and sturdy legs.
But no matter where their home is, be it London or Tobruk;
Once venturing to Australia they'll each be known as chook!
Well, I enjoyed it, anyway.
from Rachel.
