Seeing the German Shepard with the little pullet reminded me of a story from the past when I had my first flock of chickens.
Two of my favorites were a pair of little bantams. Big Red and Maxine were given to me by a school friend who couldn't keep them anymore. Red was a little Buff Cochin Roo and Maxy was a little feather legged mix breed who always seemed to have a bunch of chicks to brood and raise.
One morning my mother (I was in my teens, back before arthritis and grey hair happened)suggested that I let the flock out in the yard to scratch around since our German Shepard was in the house. I let them out and as per normal, Red came out first, strutting and clucking big time as he lead Maxy and her chicks out of the coop. In order to get to the choice scratchin and peckin ground, which was the garden area, they had to cross the area where our dog was tied out when he was outside.
I can still remember Red, still vocalizing loudly, leading his little family up to the danger zone. The hen and chicks waited patiently as he marched around obviously looking to see if 'Topper' was outside and posed a danger to them. Finally deciding that all was clear, he chattered to Maxy and strutted back to stand behind them as Maxy lead her chicks across the dog's territory.
Once Maxy and her chicks were safe, Red stopped his chattering and followed them.
My mother had been watching from the porch and cracked up laughing. "Typical male!" I remember her saying, "He made sure all was clear but just in case it wasn't, he sent the women and children out first!"
The other chickens had just avoided our Dog's territory, but not Big Red.
I miss that little bird. He could always make me laugh. What is that old saying? Diamonds and Dynamite both come in small packages.
Two of my favorites were a pair of little bantams. Big Red and Maxine were given to me by a school friend who couldn't keep them anymore. Red was a little Buff Cochin Roo and Maxy was a little feather legged mix breed who always seemed to have a bunch of chicks to brood and raise.
One morning my mother (I was in my teens, back before arthritis and grey hair happened)suggested that I let the flock out in the yard to scratch around since our German Shepard was in the house. I let them out and as per normal, Red came out first, strutting and clucking big time as he lead Maxy and her chicks out of the coop. In order to get to the choice scratchin and peckin ground, which was the garden area, they had to cross the area where our dog was tied out when he was outside.
I can still remember Red, still vocalizing loudly, leading his little family up to the danger zone. The hen and chicks waited patiently as he marched around obviously looking to see if 'Topper' was outside and posed a danger to them. Finally deciding that all was clear, he chattered to Maxy and strutted back to stand behind them as Maxy lead her chicks across the dog's territory.
Once Maxy and her chicks were safe, Red stopped his chattering and followed them.
My mother had been watching from the porch and cracked up laughing. "Typical male!" I remember her saying, "He made sure all was clear but just in case it wasn't, he sent the women and children out first!"
The other chickens had just avoided our Dog's territory, but not Big Red.
I miss that little bird. He could always make me laugh. What is that old saying? Diamonds and Dynamite both come in small packages.
