Ribh's D'Coopage

[MaryJanet]

I'm a terrible sucker for an underdog so Lottie, Tuppence & Ha'penny have become my favourites almost by default. It helps that they are also very pretty & have sweet dispositions but they are also, very definitely, @ the bottom of the pecking order.

So I have made a point of ensuring they get their fair share. Despite multiple feed stations, everyone wants to shove their greedy face into the same tub. It won't accommodate 9 chickens so the bottom lot were prone to *sneak & steal* tactics & a lot of commotion ensured. Lottie promptly flies onto my knee as soon as I sit down. I grab a handful of feed in each hand for Tuppence & Ha'penny & everyone is happy until one of the more dominant girls decides to assert her authority & hone in on my Campines.

Because they are good little chickens & know their place in the order of things they back down. Tuppence wanders of & hangs her head while eyeing me reproachfully. Ha'penny lingers @ the perimeter making unhappy noises.

However it is so well understood by Ha'penny that @ least one of those handfuls of food is for her that when Soda [top chook] honed in yesterday, Ha'penny went into fighting stance. All her hackles rose. She fluffed out. She grew as tall as she could. Soda was terribly suprised that this lowly minion dared challenge her that it took her a moment or 2 to react! And Ha'penny didn't back down right away either.

I was less than happy, given I was in the middle of this showdown with a lap full of chicken, a small feed tub & 2 fistfulls of fodder. Ha'penny did back down ~ reluctantly. Soda is my 2nd biggest chook & heavier even than Lavender. Not a lady to be messed with when youre Campine sized.

Ha'penny.​

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Look at her sweet face!

 

[Ribh]

Look at her sweet face!

They really are gorgeous chickens, the more so as they mature! I have a habit of closing my fist when someone hones in whom I'm not feeding & Ha'penny will gently peck my hand to let me know it's her & I can open up again. :

 

[Ribh]

That's what I reckon. And I'm ok to chip in a little more to make it happen, but a lot of people disagree with me on that.

They must be people who've never been in need. I've worked with homeless youth, homeless men & women fleeing domestic violence. The reasons for poverty are often complicated. Many of our homeless suffer from a mental illness that makes them incapable of holding down a proper job. Many are very intelligent but unable to cope in society. We have a moral responsibility to them.

 

[BY Bob]

Yep. My Brs are back in charge. Suyin has fallen from grace & is ranking 3rd from the bottom. Ha'penny now outranks her. Lavender has gone broody & has a one track mind. None of my other girls are real troublemakers so I'm hopeful of a peaceful interlude.

That's very exciting. I'm glad things have settled. It may have taken longer due to lavendar the broody and the sheer number of hens in the order.

 

[Ribh]

That's very exciting. I'm glad things have settled. It may have taken longer due to lavendar the broody and the sheer number of hens in the order.

That's probably true, Bob. And so many of the middle order are pretty equal in size, temperament, aggression.

 

[BY Bob]

I'm a terrible sucker for an underdog so Lottie, Tuppence & Ha'penny have become my favourites almost by default. It helps that they are also very pretty & have sweet dispositions but they are also, very definitely, @ the bottom of the pecking order.

So I have made a point of ensuring they get their fair share. Despite multiple feed stations, everyone wants to shove their greedy face into the same tub. It won't accommodate 9 chickens so the bottom lot were prone to *sneak & steal* tactics & a lot of commotion ensured. Lottie promptly flies onto my knee as soon as I sit down. I grab a handful of feed in each hand for Tuppence & Ha'penny & everyone is happy until one of the more dominant girls decides to assert her authority & hone in on my Campines.

Because they are good little chickens & know their place in the order of things they back down. Tuppence wanders of & hangs her head while eyeing me reproachfully. Ha'penny lingers @ the perimeter making unhappy noises.

However it is so well understood by Ha'penny that @ least one of those handfuls of food is for her that when Soda [top chook] honed in yesterday, Ha'penny went into fighting stance. All her hackles rose. She fluffed out. She grew as tall as she could. Soda was terribly suprised that this lowly minion dared challenge her that it took her a moment or 2 to react! And Ha'penny didn't back down right away either.

I was less than happy, given I was in the middle of this showdown with a lap full of chicken, a small feed tub & 2 fistfulls of fodder. Ha'penny did back down ~ reluctantly. Soda is my 2nd biggest chook & heavier even than Lavender. Not a lady to be messed with when youre Campine sized.

Ha'penny.​

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You did make sure Ha'penny got some feed afterwards, right? I'm concerned for her. Good for her as she at least tried to stand up for herself.


I have seen Aurora fluff back at Mal at times as well but it takes a lot.

 

[Ribh]

You did make sure Ha'penny got some feed afterwards, right? I'm concerned for her. Good for her as she at least tried to stand up for herself.


I have seen Aurora fluff back at Mal at times as well but it takes a lot.

Oh, yes! I have 2 hands, so Ha'penny just came round the other side. Tuppence is more of a worry as She is bottom. I have to take Lottie out of the equation as she has her own special place & no~one really messes with her. She's sort of a one chook flock unto herself. She & Tuppence do partner up but for all practical intents & purposes, Tuppence is bottom.

I guess Ha'penny figured Soda had the big tub ~ & all to herself if she was so inclined.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh, yes! I have 2 hands, so Ha'penny just came round the other side. Tuppence is more of a worry as She is bottom. I have to take Lottie out of the equation as she has her own special place & no~one really messes with her. She's sort of a one chook flock unto herself. She & Tuppence do partner up but for all practical intents & purposes, Tuppence is bottom.

I guess Ha'penny figured Soda had the big tub ~ & all to herself if she was so inclined.

I feel much better.

 

[MaryJanet]

They must be people who've never been in need. I've worked with homeless youth, homeless men & women fleeing domestic violence. The reasons for poverty are often complicated. Many of our homeless suffer from a mental illness that makes them incapable of holding down a proper job. Many are very intelligent but unable to cope in society. We have a moral responsibility to them.

I think that type of reciprocity is part of being Aussie.

 

[Ribh]

I think that type of reciprocity is part of being Aussie.

You & me, mate. : You & me.