Unfortunately, I had my hands full and didn't get pictures, but my cockerel is starting to grow up.
Ludwig (formerly En Croute), is a long way from flockmaster at one day shy of 12 weeks, but I've seen two incidents in less than 24 hours that make me think that he's beginning to understand that he's going to rule one day -- even if only in the way that my 12yo solemnly took on the "man of the house" role by checking that the doors were locked at bedtime when his father was on crew at the EMS base overnight.
First, last night I was watering the hanging basket near the coop (an act that doesn't normally phase the chickens at all), and they took alarm about something -- fleeing to the sheltered areas and making many alarm calls. Ludwig stood in front of the group, between the hose that they had decided was a threat and the rest of the flock -- chicks and adults.
Second, this morning when I was catching an escapee, which always creates a commotion, he stood his ground despite the ruckus and supervised the chick retrieval operation.
I am sad that Kung Pao is gone. He may have been a better physical representation of a Black Langshan male since he was taller and more stately, but Kung Pao always panicked over anything strange -- which is probably the cause of his death. En Croute has never been over-bold, but he doesn't freak out the way his brother did.
I know that Langhans are slower to mature, but I'm looking forward to hearing his first, creaky crows.
Ludwig (formerly En Croute), is a long way from flockmaster at one day shy of 12 weeks, but I've seen two incidents in less than 24 hours that make me think that he's beginning to understand that he's going to rule one day -- even if only in the way that my 12yo solemnly took on the "man of the house" role by checking that the doors were locked at bedtime when his father was on crew at the EMS base overnight.
First, last night I was watering the hanging basket near the coop (an act that doesn't normally phase the chickens at all), and they took alarm about something -- fleeing to the sheltered areas and making many alarm calls. Ludwig stood in front of the group, between the hose that they had decided was a threat and the rest of the flock -- chicks and adults.
Second, this morning when I was catching an escapee, which always creates a commotion, he stood his ground despite the ruckus and supervised the chick retrieval operation.
I am sad that Kung Pao is gone. He may have been a better physical representation of a Black Langshan male since he was taller and more stately, but Kung Pao always panicked over anything strange -- which is probably the cause of his death. En Croute has never been over-bold, but he doesn't freak out the way his brother did.
I know that Langhans are slower to mature, but I'm looking forward to hearing his first, creaky crows.
