...or hormones, your choice.
One of my eleven-week-old SS cockerels, although he isn't yet crowing (that we've witnessed, anyhow), is nevertheless feeling a stirring in his blood. He's beginning to eye the pullets with lascivious intent, which would impress the ladies were he a mature, studly rooster. As he's still just a little squirt, though, his sizing up of the ladies comes off as rather pathetic and desperate, and makes me want to hand him a copy of "Backyard Poultry" magazine and let him into the storage area in the coop for some private time. This afternoon, he spotted one of the 16-week-old Buff Brahma pullets lounging in a dustbath with her big, fluffy backside facing him. Evidently he found the sight enticing, as the little brat waltzed up behind her and, in a rather matter-of-fact manner, climbed aboard, grabbing a beakful of feathers to steady himself. Now, I seriously doubt that he knows exactly what he's supposed to be doing up there, only that it involves being atop a hen, because he stood there for a fraction of a second with a distinct, "OK, now what?" air about him.
Much to his surprise, the Brahma was NOT won over by his stealth mounting, nor by his smooth charm or good looks. She let out a outraged squawk, leapt to her feet, rounded on him, landed a good, hard peck on his back, and proceeded to chase him all over the run, shrieking her indignation and hurling curses at him the entire time. It was absolutely hilarious - my neighbors must have thought I'm a complete loon for sitting out in the run and laughing.
So much for that!
A cockerel can't get no respect 'round these parts...
One of my eleven-week-old SS cockerels, although he isn't yet crowing (that we've witnessed, anyhow), is nevertheless feeling a stirring in his blood. He's beginning to eye the pullets with lascivious intent, which would impress the ladies were he a mature, studly rooster. As he's still just a little squirt, though, his sizing up of the ladies comes off as rather pathetic and desperate, and makes me want to hand him a copy of "Backyard Poultry" magazine and let him into the storage area in the coop for some private time. This afternoon, he spotted one of the 16-week-old Buff Brahma pullets lounging in a dustbath with her big, fluffy backside facing him. Evidently he found the sight enticing, as the little brat waltzed up behind her and, in a rather matter-of-fact manner, climbed aboard, grabbing a beakful of feathers to steady himself. Now, I seriously doubt that he knows exactly what he's supposed to be doing up there, only that it involves being atop a hen, because he stood there for a fraction of a second with a distinct, "OK, now what?" air about him.
Much to his surprise, the Brahma was NOT won over by his stealth mounting, nor by his smooth charm or good looks. She let out a outraged squawk, leapt to her feet, rounded on him, landed a good, hard peck on his back, and proceeded to chase him all over the run, shrieking her indignation and hurling curses at him the entire time. It was absolutely hilarious - my neighbors must have thought I'm a complete loon for sitting out in the run and laughing.
A cockerel can't get no respect 'round these parts...
