Who you callin' Bird-Brain?

Observing the individuals of Chicken Corner in their natural state has always been an activity I’ve spent an abnormal amount of time doing. The results of which are astounding however, and I now pitch to you, on this day, that chickens are not so far off from us supposedly ‘Superior’ human beings.

Hygiene, for example, is an essential. Only yesterday, I took a moment (or half an hour) to appreciate a group of 15 standing in a row – all headless. “Headless?!” .. I hear you cry from behind your phones and laptops (or tablets for those so inclined) .. but fear not. Their heads are to be found deep within their feathers; gently moving their beaks along the base of each quill (otherwise known as preening) or more likely desperately trying to scratch that particularly itchy spot! We’ve all had that feeling.

Chickens also have more rigorous healthcare rituals – rather than involving water (which they don’t like much) – instead utilising dirt in the glorious form of a ‘dust bath’. “How vile!” some may mutter under their breath... but we’re not so different – consider the fashionable use of mud in healthcare today, which aim to detoxify and tone skin as well as creating a highly effective inflammatory agent.

Well then, it appears that chickens are one step ahead of the game, as they use it to get rid of dead skin and as a by-product, dislodge parasites. The ‘Dust Bath’ in itself is a pretty marvellous event to witness – reminiscent of the tremendously civilised Romans with their communal baths .. you can find a large number of birds flicking and kicking, and rolling and tolling around in the soil – it really is the social event of the year. Best of all, its not restricted to adults, the kids can join in too.. with mothers teaching their chicks these behaviours. It really is a joy to watch.

Speaking of ‘socialising’ – similarly to humans, chickens absolutely thrive off it! And as we have our favourite humans we love to chat with, potter about and eat with.. this is exactly how chickens like it too. They don’t all ‘get-along’ and a hierarchy can and/or ultimately does emerge within the community (especially when food is involved), but as we all say to ourselves when we attempt to justify our behaviour and overcome ‘self consciousness’ – ‘the world would be boring if we all got along’. How boring to think of Chicken Corner as a Utopian Paradise! It just won’t do!

So, in future, think before you throw ‘bird brain’ as an insult .. it might actually reflect intelligence and then my friend, the joke is on you!

G’day chicks!x

Written: 6th November 2018

Conventionally unconventional

Under normal circumstances, it is around this time of year when Chicken Corner takes the initial steps to "slowing down" (in every respect), as members focus on their transition into colder, wintry days (through a process otherwise known as "the Moult”). Additionally, the last of the youngsters have usually been sold and the majority take permanent residency to welcome in the new year.

Having set the scene effectively, allow me to introduce the destructive force confronting this ethos strongly upheld by the gang. For, as a result of the warm days this September-October period, even MORE members have joined because more hens than ever have adopted the ‘sitting’ position and gone broody!

How many hens went broody? 4 .. How many chicks hatched? 26 (!) .. I know, I know, it gave me heart palpitations when I worked out the maths as well! Now here’s the breakdown, 3 from a Light Sussex, 5 from a Buff Orpington, 6 from a red Pekin, and topping the leader-board was Gigi with 12(!!) partridge Pekins … Obviously proud yet (more-so) overwhelmed, I have decided to leave the large fowl families to their own devices; resting about the farm in various locations and pottering around the lawn and paddock at their own leisure. (A point to add is that strangely they never enter the orchard .. just something to ponder over when all I ever seem to go on about is ‘my little green world in the orchard’.. anybody else think this is ironic?? Perhaps not, just me).

Anyway, lets not get distracted .. back to the main discussion – the Pekins! Now they, on the other hand, have been moved into separate compartments in the shed to ensure their chicks’ safe passage through the first few weeks of life. They are all getting on very well (this sounds like a school report) .. showing encouraging interaction and engagement with others (too much? ..perhaps). Their first feathers are starting to grow and as a by-product, allows me to determine whether they are frizzle (feathers growing back-to-front) or simply normal. From what I can see, the majority are in fact Frizzle! So get your Sherlock Holmes hat on as you may have to decipher the puffball (not the fungus, but more a fluffy-fluff ball) from the frizzle pekin.

Although extremely cute, its undeniable that these families have indeed put the conventional routine of Chicken Corner in jeopardy.. but really, who likes ‘conventional’? I certainly don’t! Speak soon, Chicks! (That’s your new fan group name by the way).

Bye chicks! x

Written: 17th October 2018

“Je suis revenu”

The French title has little relevance to any of the content here.. if anything I would encourage you to see it as a demonstration of my wit and good humour. For the last few weeks I have been conducting a Canadian adventure with my valiant comrade (my Mother). Now now everyone, here’s the punchline, for it wasn’t in fact the East side (French-speaking Quebec) that we resided, but the West Side (the Rockies)! Nothing French at all! Oh the irony .. (perhaps don’t judge my wit and good humour according to this…).

Anyway, enough of that .. let’s cover more pressing issues, such as arriving back at the farm empty handed because my luggage was lost in transit. However, being reunited with my wonderful animals and receiving encouraging words from Olivia down the phone, I soon stopped blaming others (a progressive stage of grief) and stopped moaning (not an official stage, more a childish habit I have never grown out of ..tehe). Only then could I accept the current situation and move on.

During the day prior to my arrival, I received an amusing email from GJH Rainey explaining how Chicken Corner had “gone to pot”. Not literally, gosh no! That really would be terrible. No no, more from a management’s perspective (my very important job). I guess what did he expect: Management leaves = Uncontrollable anarchy... reproductively speaking at the least. Give these hens an inch and they’ll take a metre, 20 metres at that! All the way to the barn! Absolutely outrageous.

Wandering round the whole farm therefore, I came across a range of hens in various stages of motherhood, from a broody Pekin here to an erratic Orpington there. This particular Orpington hen has an oil-stained tail. Purely a technical fault with my Land Rover – no one really to blame; though under my breath I acknowledged the laziness of this hen who had obviously remained in the same spot underneath the vehicle and consequently, enabled the large stain to occur. I don’t mean to go on, its just a particular event that bugs me.

As I strolled on further, I also realised that the protective Light Sussex hen who had hatched 7 chicks (remember?) well.. she has abandoned them, all (or only) 6 of them! GJH informed me of this reduction in numbers after I had already made the observation myself. It seems to becoming a common theme, not telling me significant events if I am away. But I know its in my best interests. The emotional side effects would be too great otherwise. It’s not worth the hassle.

However, a nice surprise included the new single Light Sussex mother painting the farm red with her 3 little chicks. It isn’t an ideal situation as Chicken Corner cannot afford to fund another financial-benefits seeker .. (they require more chick-crumb, you see). I do however, take my hat off (if I had one, they are all in my lost luggage!) to that hen as she pushed on against the odds and hatched the babies, having failed miserably earlier in the year. She is coping admirably with her newfound role – but if I could offer one piece of advice to her – don’t take your babies through thick, long grass, they become entangled in the shoots and topple over!

Overall, all members are looking ship-shape, if perhaps a little chilly. So to get them ready for this winter’s beast from the east, I’ll be busy and I hope to keep you updated along the way.

Chat soon, chicks! x

Written: 26th September 2018