Today while working on yard I observed intersting interaction between game rooster and one of his bitties. Rooster is dominant (only adult male) of free ranging flock with territory centered on front porch with boundaries presently approximating edge of mowed yard. Flock also contains two hens, one game hen and one red jungle fowl hen with nine chicks 8-days post-hatch and 12 chicks 1-day post-hatch, respectively. Both hens incubated and are now brooding chicks at night on front porch. Observation deals with elder chicks as entire group fed on medicated chick grower scattered on ground so dog can not eat it as easily. Rooster likes to eat stuff as well. After both hens and majority of chicks were satiated, only a single chick was out feeding with rooster as both methodically searched out remaining crumbles. They were feeding at such close proximity the chick would bump roosters head. This went on for a couple minutes when rooster picked up chick with his beak and held about 8 inches above the ground for a couple seconds. The chick made low intensity distress calls but not enough to rile mother hen. The rooster then dropped chick and both immediately resumed feeding as before. Feeding continued for another minute or so.
I have seen roosters pickup chicks before and usually aggression was obvious and acted upon. Even this rooster has done same with older chicks not of his flock. This same rooster will also allow his chicks to at least attempt to jump up on his back,
I have seen roosters pickup chicks before and usually aggression was obvious and acted upon. Even this rooster has done same with older chicks not of his flock. This same rooster will also allow his chicks to at least attempt to jump up on his back,
