This is Clyde. He is one of three chickens kept by me at the school where I teach.
Having agreed to purchase a Barnevelder hen, I sent one of my assistants to collect her. This is what he came back with - and it quickly became apparent that Bonnie was, in fact, a Clyde! He was hatched back in April, I believe.
It was agreed that we could keep him, on condition that if any neighbours complained, he would have to go back to the environmental center/children's farm, where, I'm afraid, he was destined for the pot!
He should win the Mr Chicken competition because he is such a sweet character - calm, and happy to be cuddled by our students - all of them with moderate learning difficulties. He's not too demanding of his girlies - and is happy to travel to and from my home at weekends, 'chatting' to me all the way. Today, we left a little early, and we paid a visit to a local old folks home, where I have a friend who is 99 years old. She was delighted to be able to give Clyde a cuddle [she used to keep chickens herself, during the war]. This lady has been in residential care for the last few years, yet still writes a daily diary. She was very excited that she would have something interesting to write for today's entry. I had to smile. The carers hadn't seen me sneak him in - and I can imagine their surprise if they read in her diary that she'd been stroking a large black ............. well, i'm sure you know what I mean. LOL! They'd probably think she'd gone bonkers!
Anyway, here he is - I hope you like him.