There's something satisfying about finding redeeming parts of a person who has acted in appalling ways (talking about C here) and to remember that what makes us contrary can also be the source of impressive resilience.
Tax: An appalling thing I've done to poultry recently is to charge rooster Andre with the world's sassiest pullets. Everyday is summer camp for the Speckled Sussex girls.
View attachment 3702384
While serene with humans, big Andre was such a bully to his hatchmates that I thought he'd only be able to cohabitate with strong hens who kept him in line. The Speckled Sussex are on another level, though. It's common to find Andre rushing around to keep them out of trouble.
View attachment 3702383
Right now it's blowing snow. I'm sure Andre would like nothing more than to warm his wattles by the heater, but I can see from the window that the girls are out in it. I'm sure he's cooing his head off to entice them into his run so he doesn't have to go out in it. I'll bundle up in a second and put a seed treat in the run to help him out.
Here's a quiet moment earlier where he finally convinced wild child Peck to come eat in his coop so he can get out of the rain, too. You can see that Peck did let his mullet mostly grow out, but she's not above yanking a new hackle feather if he's not paying attention.
View attachment 3702374
Then, doh, Peck got ants in her pants and zipped out to explore.
View attachment 3702373
Lastly, a favorite video from a few months ago. Andre pretending not to be sleepy until the last of the girls exited stage right to dustbathe, and he let that sunbeam take over.