Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

This got me thinking.... @RoyalChick how far have you gotten into the book about chickens around the world (sorry, don't remember the exact title...) does it mention anything about this?

I would imagine the book didn't mention rice as this paper, published two days ago, presents it as a new theory.

 

[ManueB]

Many people keep chickens and cats together. Has the bantam never faced off with them? Do they attack the bantam, or play roughly with her? I think small chicks are in danger with cats who are unfamiliar with chickens and who regularly hunt songbirds.

How trained and trainable are they? I would be concerned to let any cat near chicks at all without tight wire between them. Our Buckeyes were in the brooder and the cat was not let in the room (but he slept on the bed in the next room and could hear and smell them and hear me interact with them ) until they were a few weeks old, and then only with me present. The brooder was at waist height and fine netting enclosed all sides above 12" of wall, and there was no ledge that the cat could get on next to it, but he could sit on a countertop and watch me with them from there. He was introduced to them at ground level outside when they were pullets maybe 5 weeks old, and that started with me on my knees holding him so that he could not make any sudden move forward, but he could back away.

If they can be taught that the bantam is an unassailable family member then it may at some point be safe for the chicks but they should probably be much bigger. I trained our cat with our pullets, but to eventually trust your cats you have to know them well (our cat does not hunt songbirds and is VERY eager to please us, remarkably so) and they would have to demonstrate to you that they are wary of all the chickens, bantams and standards, and that they have no interest in hunting them. In training I would not let two cats at the same time near the bantam or the more-grown chicks even unless you had a good helper and you each held the cats firmly, the risk is too great.

How old are these cats? They appear to be young adults. That should factor in. The younger they are, the more risk imo.

Yes, I agree the younger they are the even more inquisitive because everything's brand new, cat's are always inquisitive or should I say nosey plus they are more more playful when they are kittens.

The cats are 21 months, so they are well past the kitten phase. They were raised as barn cats to hunt mice and were allowed in the house as pets only since this winter so they have a strong hunting instinct. There has never been any problem with the bantam, but once or twice I saw Grochatila look like he was hesitant about whether she was a bird.

I have now seen how the bantam mother reacts when the rooster comes near and it is clear she will defend them from anything and scream at the top of her lungs. This should be enough to make him hesitate and alert us. However I agree it's too early for an introduction, we'll wait till they have grown a bit.

 

[townchicks]

I finished the book. It was really good.
The book is by Andrew Lawler and covered many of the academic theories about when, why, how chickens became domestic animals.
Many of the themes are similar including how chickens were not really food for much of our history and in most places (the Romans were exceptions). I don’t recall such a big emphasis on rice specifically, but I may have forgotten because there were so many fascinating discoveries to engage with.
I definitely recommend it as a good read. It is based on academic work but is mostly an easy read (I got lost in one chapter).
It is called: Why Did The Chicken Cross The World - the epic saga of the bird that powers civilization.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the World?: The Epic Saga of the Bird that Powers Civilization https://a.co/d/9qL96Bi

I read this also, I really enjoyed it, and recommend it. I also don't remember much referring to rice paddies, but it's been about six years, and my memory was never that great. Now, well.....let's just say not as good.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I got quite a shock just now when I went into the Chicken Palace to check feeders. The three little Hooligans had disappeared.
Because of Bernadette's mobility issues they have turned into little couch potatoes so there are really only 4 places they hang out.
They weren't in any of them.
Then I found them.
All I can say is this will end in tears when Dotty discovers they have taken over a nest box.
Silly Hooligans!

View attachment 3139840

Umm, what was that said, about giving them a nice bigger box they can fit into???

 

[featherhead007]

Are you near Bakersfield? I have family there

Bakersfield is 1.5 hours drive away.

 

[Ponypoor]

Predicting 106 for next week. That is hellish for even August. This summer will be brutal.

Cold and wet here
Not much like june

 

[Ponypoor]

Bakersfield is 1.5 hours drive away.

The extent of my knowledge of california is Sam Diego, salton lake (I think that’s the name) and Bakersfield

 

[GregnLety]

Cold and wet here
Not much like june

Mother nature has gone crazy..

 

[RoyalChick]

Was that the one i suggested way back when?? I want to read it just need time.

Possibly - I can't remember how I came across it originally. If it was your suggestion, then THANK YOU!

 

[featherhead007]

The extent of my knowledge of california is Sam Diego, salton lake (I think that’s the name) and Bakersfield

Has Kelly ever been to Sam Diego?
I used to live in San Diego.