Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 80s partly sunny.

Have a great day!

 

[HiEverybirdy]

I wonder if she learned that from Max, one of my redfoot tortoises. The chickens loved to hop into her enclosure.

That's a fun thought: interspecies learning.

The Something You Should Know podcast had Arik Kershenbaum on recently to discuss animal communication. He doesn't touch much on interspecies communication in this clip, but his take on language in general has been fun to think about.

He discusses how other animals appear to communicate out of necessity. While many species have demonstrated the ability to understand language (dogs knowing walk and treat, for instance), they choose not to implement language skills at that level of complexity in the wild or amongst each other. Because, Kershenbaum proffers, language is pretty cumbersome. In most cases, simple sound patterns can suffice. He thinks humans evolved our language based on our "suffocatingly" complex social systems.

Language-tangent tax. Glorious Eula taking a ranging break. She abhors being touched but has always loved laps, which she can visit on her own terms.

And dear Plumbus. At 3, she's going gray around the brows and cheeks. Anyone else have black chickens going gray? Our Langshans aren't, but the Marans get those little gray feathers. Very distinguished.

 

[Molpet]

And dear Plumbus. At 3, she's going gray around the brows and cheeks. Anyone else have black chickens going gray? Our Langshans aren't, but the Marans get those little gray feathers. Very distinguished.

Yes
On mine I thought the grey/white little feathers were bugs at first.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Co-brooding has been a revelation to me. It seems to be a win-win for all concerned. Chicks have options, and can choose to follow, as and when they wish, the dynamic one that can't wait to show them the world and chase every insect that passes by, or cosy up with the quieter one that prefers to sunbathe when we get some sun (a rarity this year, it has to be said) and takes life at an altogether more relaxed pace. Broodies have back-up on hand at all times, so when getting the kids to bed, for example, one can be downramp, one upramp, and no-one's anxious and calling frantically 'where are you?' Broodies can also indulge in a bit of self-care, knowing the other one's looking after the littles. All in all, it's gone so well that the net came down this morning, the introductions have gone off without issue (including with the older chicks and their broody), and I plan to use this method going forward when opportunity presents itself.

This gives an idea of the idyllic scene: 2 broodies, 4 chicks, and passing uncle (possible but unlikely dad) View attachment 3918485

Yes co-broody hens are amazing!
Samara and Morinth having fun with their chicks.

 

[Shadrach]

He discusses how other animals appear to communicate out of necessity.

That's a step forward from many humans I know who seem to think that exercising their jaws and vocal chords at all times is vital for their survival.

 

[Perris]

there's a huge range on that in people, from laconic to logorrheic

 

[Ladies-Eight]

That's a fun thought: interspecies learning.

The Something You Should Know podcast had Arik Kershenbaum on recently to discuss animal communication. He doesn't touch much on interspecies communication in this clip, but his take on language in general has been fun to think about.

He discusses how other animals appear to communicate out of necessity. While many species have demonstrated the ability to understand language (dogs knowing walk and treat, for instance), they choose not to implement language skills at that level of complexity in the wild or amongst each other. Because, Kershenbaum proffers, language is pretty cumbersome. In most cases, simple sound patterns can suffice. He thinks humans evolved our language based on our "suffocatingly" complex social systems.

Language-tangent tax. Glorious Eula taking a ranging break. She abhors being touched but has always loved laps, which she can visit on her own terms.

View attachment 3919552

And dear Plumbus. At 3, she's going gray around the brows and cheeks. Anyone else have black chickens going gray? Our Langshans aren't, but the Marans get those little gray feathers. Very distinguished.

View attachment 3919553

Pretty chickens.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

That's a step forward from many humans I know who seem to think that exercising their jaws and vocal chords at all times is vital for their survival.

AMEN!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good afternoon one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 80s partly sunny.

Have a great day!

@Shadrach Hope you are better.

 

[SimpleJenn]

That's a step forward from many humans I know who seem to think that exercising their jaws and vocal chords at all times is vital for their survival.

I am unfortunately one of those nervous talkers...and I have social anxiety so I'm usually nervous haha.
Some very cute moments with the chicks.