Ribh's D'Coopage

[Shadrach]

By the way I have been wondering, what is your pick as the best Spanish Ham?

Chicken tax
View attachment 2466172

That's a very big question Bob. and I'm no expert.
But, I know someone who is and I'll ask him.
What I like isn't really on the high tier, mainly because I don't like a lot of fat on the cut.
I'll get back to you.

 

[Shadrach]

Is that why the British monarchy is so messed up? kidding!

and the Spanish. I think the Russians sorted theirs out.....

 

[RoyalChick]

Flock Dynamics

Flock dynamics are so interesting. I’m sure Bridge is still the Alpha, but she is so chill, she doesn’t push her weight around. She is subtle about it and rules the roost with just firm look. I just love that calm confidence in her.

It is really interesting to see how the Littles are coming along. Flo is working hard to establish her place in the pecking order in the main flock. Just in a short amount of time this morning, I saw her challenge Bridge, Buttercup, and Ruby. Bridge just had a stare down with her and eventually Flo backed off. Buttercup, on the other hand, went after her and beat her up a little bit (not really, but she definitely pecked snd chased Flo off). Ruby is pretty chill and still outranks Flo, but she didn’t put up a big fuss about it.

Flo also seems to think that I belong to her. She seems a little confused if one of the higher ranked birds gets in my lap or gets my attention. Poor thing! It’s super cute! Of all the birds, definitely the babies are the happiest to see me.

Ester’s molt is significant. If she fluffs and shakes herself, 20 feathers come flying off! She’s warming herself in the sun at the moment, along with Dorothy. I’m so glad I wired in this little area, which I call their “sun room.” It is the area under the upper level of the coop (upper level was previously the deck of the kids’ redwood play structure). I leave the little pop door open year round for ventilation and so they have access to the sun room. One side is removable for human access (cleaning). I often leave it off when they are free ranging so they have another entry to the safe area. Everything is wet outside, so even though they are free ranging, they are doing their sunning from inside the covered part of the run and/or the sunroom. Those are the only dry spots.View attachment 2466388

After I wrote this post, more girls piled into the sun room, but I didn’t catch it at its fullest. Here are Cashew and Buttercup as Lucky enters the scene:
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Love the sun room!

 

[RoyalChick]

and the Spanish. I think the Russians sorted theirs out.....

The same way the French did.

 

[Shadrach]

The same way the French did.

Yeah, one of the few great inventions to come out of France.
I've always thought it a shame that the English have never got past being a forelock tugging bunch of peasants.

Oh dear, my tax bill is gettinng bigger by the key stroke.

 

[Ribh]

I got that the ‘Leg’ bit came from Leghorn. It was the brown that flummoxed me!
I realize this is a complicated topic around what is a breed and who decides, so am thinking my previous state of ignorance on the topic may be a safer state to live in!

My grandies have it sussed: It's a chicken!

 

[Ribh]

Yeah, one of the few great inventions to come out of France.
I've always thought it a shame that the English have never got past being a forelock tugging bunch of peasants.

Oh dear, my tax bill is gettinng bigger by the key stroke.

I seem to remember the English killing of a number of their kings ~ 17 all told [including the Scots ones] & a number of very suss others. Then there was Guy Fawkes... hardly forelock tugging. Victoria, the wily old bird, made the monarchy respectable & created the kow~towing. Before that it was more who could keep their head the longest.

 

[Shadrach]

I seem to remember the English killing of a number of their kings ~ 17 all told [including the Scots ones] & a number of very suss others. Then there was Guy Fawkes... hardly forelock tugging. Victoria, the wily old bird, made the monarchy respectable & created the kow~towing. Before that it was more who could keep their head the longest.

Yeah, but it was often other "royals" removing the opposition.
The Scottish have fared somewhat better.
Guy Fawkes missed.......

 

[Ribh]

Oh, gosh, Bob...where to start....

Second, those bantams are a LOT smaller than I expected.

They are really tiny aren't they. And even smaller when they first arrived. They are feisty though.

Third, someone was either full, or was absolutely fascinated with you. I sense an new friend for you in the development

The phone cord was hanging down. That's what was fascinating her, not me. Unfortunately.

Are you still scared to take care of them and how do you feel about real littles vs POLs now?

Having lost one was not a great confidence booster. I think I would still go POL in preference. These littles are just so...tiny... On the other hand, having done it once I wouldn't completely rule it out, which is a good thing as the man wants me to replace the Vorwerk & that will mean @ least 2 birds. I won't do singles.

 

[Ribh]

The bantams seem to be using their size and speed to their advantage and don't seem to be missing out at the food bucket one little bit. I love it!

They do! I learnt a lot from my 1st bantam, Lottie & I've never hesitated to run them with standards since. they are smart little birds. This lot just get right in the food containers if necessary & everyone else eats around them.