Arizona Chickens

[a little chiken]

Okay, this is a first for me - this little guy was the first to crow, has hackle feathers and saddle feathers but Romeo the barred Naked Neck cockerel has been protecting this little Polish cross. Earlier today when I was out collecting eggs from the big girls I saw Romeo chase the other Polish cockerel away from this cross cockerel and then Romeo grabbed this little guy at the back of the neck, little guy submitted and Romeo mounted him! In all the years I've had chickens and my family as I was growing up had chickens, I've never observed this behavior - ever. Romeo has never tried this with any of the young pullets running around and I've got a few of them in the same area as him.

you sure its a rooster? hens can crow. (still love your barred NN)

 

[a little chiken]

to the Newbies. Getting your first egg is always so much anticipation and fun. Good Luck and look forward to pics.

 

[MagicChicken]

Okay, this is a first for me - this little guy was the first to crow, has hackle feathers and saddle feathers but Romeo the barred Naked Neck cockerel has been protecting this little Polish cross. Earlier today when I was out collecting eggs from the big girls I saw Romeo chase the other Polish cockerel away from this cross cockerel and then Romeo grabbed this little guy at the back of the neck, little guy submitted and Romeo mounted him! In all the years I've had chickens and my family as I was growing up had chickens, I've never observed this behavior - ever. Romeo has never tried this with any of the young pullets running around and I've got a few of them in the same area as him.

Hmm... I've had a rooster try to mount my black rubber boots, so it doesn't surprise me that Romeo would attempt to mount anything that looked vaguely like a female chicken. But for the naked neck to submit to being mounted... hmm... makes me think that the naked neck "little guy" may not be a guy. I'm not seeing pointy hackle feathers in this photo. Not sure about the saddle feathers. Am I missing something?

 

[ChuskaMtns]

Hmm... I've had a rooster try to mount my black rubber boots, so it doesn't surprise me that Romeo would attempt to mount anything that looked vaguely like a female chicken.  But for the naked neck to submit to being mounted... hmm... makes me think that the naked neck "little guy" may not be a guy.    I'm not seeing pointy hackle feathers in this photo.  Not sure about the saddle feathers.  Am I missing something?

The NN is mounting the Polish cross cockerel and the Polish cross has hackles and very long saddle feathers. I don't understand why the Polish would submit to the NN? The size difference? In any case, the Polish cross seems to stay by the NN at all times.

 

[cyborg]

Okay, this is a first for me - this little guy was the first to crow, has hackle feathers and saddle feathers but Romeo the barred Naked Neck cockerel has been protecting this little Polish cross. Earlier today when I was out collecting eggs from the big girls I saw Romeo chase the other Polish cockerel away from this cross cockerel and then Romeo grabbed this little guy at the back of the neck, little guy submitted and Romeo mounted him! In all the years I've had chickens and my family as I was growing up had chickens, I've never observed this behavior - ever. Romeo has never tried this with any of the young pullets running around and I've got a few of them in the same area as him.

Well, everybody knows them NN's are a little off anyway!

 

[ChuskaMtns]

Well, everybody knows them NN's are a little off anyway!

Hahahaha! Thanks for the laugh!

 

[Bobby Basham]

Is that first pick a dark-haired Phyllis Diller without Fang? Oh, I'm dating myself.

--BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Bobby Basham]

Chicken Lady,

Thank you for all the great tips and I would never haul great lengths of boards with the tailgate up....that's just asking for trouble. Some of my pieces, especially the 4x4x10's, will be cut in half, but would like to leave the 2x6x12-ft boards intact for my side patio deck. I didn't ask for details, but maybe Lowes could strap the boards into manageable bundles and tote them to the back for delivery.

City Farm, thank you so much for considering the ride and putting your teenagers to work. I'm not in a big hurry right now, because being the Interim Music Director and Primary Organist at church, I gotta solidify the music for Pastor Anniversary this month, and get music together for Church Anniversary, I think in November. Hmmm...I currently have about 160 hrs of vacation time, and could probably take off three weeks in October.

It's not rocket science, and I'm in no big hurry. Sorta like expecting parents getting the baby's room together. Even if my decks and run projects are finished, then things will come to a halt to plan the next phases....building a brooder (piece of cake...wait til you see that design, ongoing feed expenses,storage bins, bedding, watering systems, First-Aid kit, what to put in all those planter boxes...save one for compost? ....and my finances to keep the whole operation going. I only want six hens max, and my space should be more than sufficient for them to run around and not get picked on.

No chickens in the plan for this year. I want everything in place first, then I'll purchase/order my chicksm or see what's available locally. My first choice is the Delawares, but I don't know of anyone locally who sexes them at birth.

Anyhoo, I just may go out in the finished run and roll around in the sand for abit, and get myself psyched up...LOL!. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[desertmarcy]

Any of the Tucson peeps been to Ecogro? They advertise Weird and Exotic Plants on CL and the prices look good. Just wondering.

I go there just about every month because our Tucson Rare Fruit Growers group, which is very small, meets there. Nice people. Brad helps his son out in the store, I've known Brad for years.

 

[desertmarcy]

Here is one of my keepers for next year. I think she is lovely, I love pastel colors on turkeys.