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- #661
Some observations:
You know it's cold when you can see your (dominant) rooster's breath as he crows, standing all proud on the front porch railing at your elbow.
You just might be a little strange when you can tell a visitor what is going on with your flock. Example: during a conversation outside, the flock suddenly quiets; I heard the alarm call but my visitor was speaking at the time, so I just glanced around. He said, "Look at the geese and ducks!". They all had their heads tilted to the sky. We both looked up to see a large crow continuing north and out of sight. Then Carl gave the all clear, and the chickens started moving again. I told my guest "That was Carl's "all clear" signal, and when they went all silent - well, that was TJ calling out the alarm.". Luckily, my guest thought it was very cool.
Then you explain what "tidbitting" is, and further explain that a particular roo is faking out a pullet or hen to get her/them/somebody gullible close so he can jump her. But nowhere near Carl or either/both geese.
Cockerels are very startled when you yank 'em off a hen or pullet. If it takes another yank within a few minutes to dissuade the same boy, he gets carried around for a while. They don't like that much. Especially if you set them down next to either Carl or one of the geese.
Yes, that was indeed a cockerel who just challenged the metal rooster figurine on the porch railing. And knocked it down. Woo hoo! Now he's got more status than the metal roo!
Two indications a chicken is in the house: Dooley is barking like mad from the kitchen and there is fresh evidence on the floor a large bird has passed this way. On her way to eat dog kibble from Dooley's dish.
When a plastic milk crate is upside down, like a cage with an open bottom, you'd better check it the same day you noticed it. Two very thirsty and hungry dark Brahmas pullets were awfully glad another pullet came over to look through the openings at them. That caught my attention at last and I freed the two girls. Good lord, but Brahmas are docile and quiet!!! Plus, I cannot believe they both FIT in it! Dark Brahmas also don't have light colored feathers which just might have been more noticeable through those openings in the milk crate sides and bottom (which was the top when it was upside down).
People at work really are humoring me when I show them photos of Angel and her nine chicks.
Thank goodness I am old enough to realize the nine and a half months between now and my retirement really isn't that long of an eternity.
You know it's cold when you can see your (dominant) rooster's breath as he crows, standing all proud on the front porch railing at your elbow.
You just might be a little strange when you can tell a visitor what is going on with your flock. Example: during a conversation outside, the flock suddenly quiets; I heard the alarm call but my visitor was speaking at the time, so I just glanced around. He said, "Look at the geese and ducks!". They all had their heads tilted to the sky. We both looked up to see a large crow continuing north and out of sight. Then Carl gave the all clear, and the chickens started moving again. I told my guest "That was Carl's "all clear" signal, and when they went all silent - well, that was TJ calling out the alarm.". Luckily, my guest thought it was very cool.
Then you explain what "tidbitting" is, and further explain that a particular roo is faking out a pullet or hen to get her/them/somebody gullible close so he can jump her. But nowhere near Carl or either/both geese.
Cockerels are very startled when you yank 'em off a hen or pullet. If it takes another yank within a few minutes to dissuade the same boy, he gets carried around for a while. They don't like that much. Especially if you set them down next to either Carl or one of the geese.
Yes, that was indeed a cockerel who just challenged the metal rooster figurine on the porch railing. And knocked it down. Woo hoo! Now he's got more status than the metal roo!
Two indications a chicken is in the house: Dooley is barking like mad from the kitchen and there is fresh evidence on the floor a large bird has passed this way. On her way to eat dog kibble from Dooley's dish.
When a plastic milk crate is upside down, like a cage with an open bottom, you'd better check it the same day you noticed it. Two very thirsty and hungry dark Brahmas pullets were awfully glad another pullet came over to look through the openings at them. That caught my attention at last and I freed the two girls. Good lord, but Brahmas are docile and quiet!!! Plus, I cannot believe they both FIT in it! Dark Brahmas also don't have light colored feathers which just might have been more noticeable through those openings in the milk crate sides and bottom (which was the top when it was upside down).
People at work really are humoring me when I show them photos of Angel and her nine chicks.
Thank goodness I am old enough to realize the nine and a half months between now and my retirement really isn't that long of an eternity.
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