Rescue meaties had a field trip and watermelon picnic

[theoldchick]

I had two meaties I rescued from a research project and they grew up to be roosters, of course. They were the dumb jocks of the chicken world. Big and massive, their brains were no larger than this period . They were like football players with head injuries. Always had their beak slightly parted as if they didn't know how to breath through their nostrils. They were and odd contrast to my Old English Rosecombs, and the banty rooster would jump them every chance he'd get. The meaties would look around in confusion as Mr. Banty Pants flogged the feathers off them. Poor little guy would wear himself out. He'd stop to rest and the Meaty would wander off, clucking a strange low song of confusion.

The banty hens used them as hawk protection, and their large size made good shade, too. They'd try to mate on occasion but couldn't figure out what part went where. Then Mr. Banty Pants would get in on the action and the offending Meatie would stand there probably thinking this was part of the mating process.

I had one try to flog me once. I stepped aside and he slammed into the side of the trailer. He staggered away, with his head down in embarrassment. He never tried to do such a thing again.

Both lived to be two years old then appeared to develop joint problems. One died and the next day the other died. Of old age. A rare occurrence for a meatie.

 

[chicknduck]

Very nice pictures. I enjoyed seeing them.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I couldn't help but laugh at your story. I have noticed that my meatie cockerels are a bit on the dumb side. My fastest and smartest? of the herd (yes, they are a herd not a flock) Gracie was busy in the backyard yesterday, running here and there, catching the abundant crickets and grasshoppers. I decided to take the biggest of the cockerels, Ollie, out there to where Gracie was. My thought was Gracie could teach Ollie a thing or two about bug catching. Ollie sat down and watched Gracie, but didn't have a clue about what he was supposed to do. Baby crickets were actually jumping on Ollie and Gracie would snatch them up and gobble them down. He just sat there. I did see Ollie make a half-hearted attempt at mating the other day. He got one leg up before the pullet squawked and moved away, leaving him standing there in a daze.
I am encouraged that most of the meaties are now bug catching, dustbathing and moving around despite our 100+ degree weather.