MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Yes. More Aunty than mother. But the kids do totally trust her - they scatter when they see Bernie (which is all right and proper!) and run to Eli's side. Eli then leads them off somewhere and they sit together. Then at other times Eli is out scratching up stuff with Babs and Bernie and leaving the kids to their own devices.
After this evening, I am now 100% certain she talks to them when they all go to bed until they quiet down and go to sleep.


I guess I shouldn't really be surprised that chickens have complex relationships that are not restricted to their equivalent of a nuclear family. I already know they have sophisticated social dynamics, and I have a gender-fluid lead hen, so why not an involved Aunty?!

Absolutely!

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure nuclear family is a human construct rarely observed in nature. Plovers couple for life and I think there are some other species too, but they're a tiny minority. Chickens seem to have a sort of village approach to interpersonal relationships.

 

[MaryJanet]

After this evening, I am now 100% certain she talks to them when they all go to bed until they quiet down and go to sleep.

Bedtime stories!

 

[RoyalChick]

Absolutely!

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure nuclear family is a human construct rarely observed in nature. Plovers couple for life and I think there are some other species too, but they're a tiny minority. Chickens seem to have a sort of village approach to interpersonal relationships.

I find ‘village approach’ a very helpful way to think about it. Thank you!

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[MaryJanet]

I find ‘village approach’ a very helpful way to think about it. Thank you!

It's much the same as Shad's tribe concept. I should have thought tribe first but village came to mind at the time.

 

[MaryJanet]

Unusual things I did today

• Lost my keys
• Missed a meeting
• Cancelled a meeting with the plumber
• Got my keys back
• Reinstated the meeting with the plumber.

 

[RoyalChick]

Unusual things I did today

• Lost my keys
• Missed a meeting
• Cancelled a meeting with the plumber
• Got my keys back
• Reinstated the meeting with the plumber.

I hate when I have days like that.
Perhaps a sign you have been doing too much and need a bit of a break?

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[janiedoe]

Good evening folks

Hello Bob!

 

[janiedoe]

I hate when I have days like that.
Perhaps a sign you have been doing too much and need a bit of a break?

I find my days like that come after a sleepless night.