Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Planning a short trip to Columbia, SC. Apparently the mascot of University of South Carolina is a roo! His name is Sir Big Spur.

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Interesting stories around the history of this, and going into the history of cockfighting. The longtime handlers for the USC games always used a Gamecock that had his comb removed as they do for cockfighting (called dubbing. Yes, I object. I think the comb is glorious and it's functional. I bet it hurts a lot to have it removed. The rooster is not cockfighting).

If I understand this right the old handlers retired; new handlers decided to use a rooster with comb intact, to help him with the intense SC heat they said (I hope they also thought about more humane reasons not to dub him). Old handlers have the trademark for the rooster's name and really want a dubbed rooster in the role and so made a stink about it. They eventually got the assignment back and yes they are using a "dubbed" rooster.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...na-strange-true-tale-live-mascot-handler-feud

 

[lightm]

Interesting stories around the history of this, and going into the history of cockfighting. The longtime handlers for the USC games always used a Gamecock that had his comb removed as they do for cockfighting (called dubbing. Yes, I object. I think the comb is glorious and it's functional. I bet it hurts a lot to have it removed. The rooster is not cockfighting).

If I understand this right the old handlers retired; new handlers decided to use a rooster with comb intact, to help him with the intense SC heat they said (I hope they also thought about more humane reasons not to dub him). Old handlers have the trademark for the rooster's name and really want a dubbed rooster in the role and so made a stink about it. They eventually got the assignment back and yes they are using a "dubbed" rooster.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...na-strange-true-tale-live-mascot-handler-feud

Thanks for sharing. It is interesting. I agree dubbing sounds horrible . I also can't bear the thought of any animal fighting that is not naturally occurring (the worst would be for human pleasure).

 

[lightm]

I think it's partly due to their youth. My ex-batts also did quite a few crazy things the first two years they were here! Now they are over three, they are much more subdued and less adventurous. There's a time for everything I guess but it makes me feel sad when I see them staying inside or sheltered under trees for the best part of the day. Or maybe it's because their health is declining?
Do those of you who have older chickens also find they act like old people ?

Great crow! He is loud!

One of the two people living here is still a child at heart (not me !!). We got back from my partner's mother at 9.30pm yesterday and it was starting to snow, there was almost 10 inches when we woke up this morning!

Poor Gastounet is utterly terrified of the snow. He kept trying to fly to avoid it and crash landing into objects or worse, big holes of deep snow. Now it's beginning to melt and he is really scared every time it falls off the trees or the roof.
He gripped to that deer antler for dear life during at least an hour! Piou-piou doesn't care, she scratches around and got some snow adventures.
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Quite a couple!!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thanks for sharing. It is interesting. I agree dubbing sounds horrible . I also can't bear the thought of any animal fighting that is not naturally occurring (the worst would be for human pleasure).

I agree with you. But were you mentioning the aversion to sport fighting as an aside? Here the rooster is not cockfighting (at least no one is aware if the owners do that too), the owners want the look of a traditional Gamecock for the team mascot. So it's basically the "hairstyle" they're disputing...

 

[rural mouse]

I think it's partly due to their youth. My ex-batts also did quite a few crazy things the first two years they were here! Now they are over three, they are much more subdued and less adventurous. There's a time for everything I guess but it makes me feel sad when I see them staying inside or sheltered under trees for the best part of the day. Or maybe it's because their health is declining?
Do those of you who have older chickens also find they act like old people ?

Great crow! He is loud!

One of the two people living here is still a child at heart (not me !!). We got back from my partner's mother at 9.30pm yesterday and it was starting to snow, there was almost 10 inches when we woke up this morning!

Poor Gastounet is utterly terrified of the snow. He kept trying to fly to avoid it and crash landing into objects or worse, big holes of deep snow. Now it's beginning to melt and he is really scared every time it falls off the trees or the roof.
He gripped to that deer antler for dear life during at least an hour! Piou-piou doesn't care, she scratches around and got some snow adventures.
View attachment 3348597
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View attachment 3348599

First reactions to snow (in its frequently changing status) are great entertainment. Did the child at heart have a snowball fight too?

 

[featherhead007]

Lozzy, if you have read this far, congratulations, you are all caught up!

 

[lightm]

I agree with you. But were you mentioning the aversion to sport fighting as an aside? Here the rooster is not cockfighting (at least no one is aware if the owners do that too), the owners want the look of a traditional Gamecock for the team mascot. So it's basically the "hairstyle" they're disputing...

Yes I was only talking about cockfighting on the side since you mentioned it earlier in your post. I know Sir Big Spur is not fighting.

Anyway, now a major goal of our trip to Columbia is to get lots of chicken stuff!!!

This supposedly is our hotel room
I think you needs this headboard @featherhead007

 

[Ponypoor]

Interesting stories around the history of this, and going into the history of cockfighting. The longtime handlers for the USC games always used a Gamecock that had his comb removed as they do for cockfighting (called dubbing. Yes, I object. I think the comb is glorious and it's functional. I bet it hurts a lot to have it removed. The rooster is not cockfighting).

If I understand this right the old handlers retired; new handlers decided to use a rooster with comb intact, to help him with the intense SC heat they said (I hope they also thought about more humane reasons not to dub him). Old handlers have the trademark for the rooster's name and really want a dubbed rooster in the role and so made a stink about it. They eventually got the assignment back and yes they are using a "dubbed" rooster.

https://www.espn.com/college-footba...na-strange-true-tale-live-mascot-handler-feud

How cruel and mean! Yes a rooster MUST have a glorious comb and wattles… otherwise is he really a true Roo?! (Other than silkies and other Roos like Mr P that have no real comb…).

 

[featherhead007]

Yes I was only talking about cockfighting on the side since you mentioned it earlier in your post. I know Sir Big Spur is not fighting.

Anyway, now a major goal of our trip to Columbia is to get lots of chicken stuff!!!

This supposedly is our hotel room
I think you needs this headboard @featherhead007
View attachment 3349119

I don’t think I need a headboard like that one. It wouldn’t match my oak furniture.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Got our storm shelter delivered and installed today! So excited, had to wait over 3 months to get it.

Now if only DH would agree to try to get as many of the chickens as possible in with us and the cats if a tornado comes.

Shelter tax