We’re now well into fall and the leaves are accumulating on the ground and getting thinner overhead. The chickens enjoy scratching among the leaves, but a more open sky keeps Finn watchful.
I submitted pictures of Holly, Elizabeth, and Marie to the Backyard Chickens site to see if anyone could settle the gender question. The verdict: Holly and Elizabeth are pullets, while Marie is probably Mario.
Mario
So incredibly, after hatching out nine chicks this summer, I ended up with only 3 boys after all--Hazel (who is happily adjusting to free-ranging with 30 hens), Dandelion, and well, Mario.
I’m once again looking at the grass in the enclosure (under the leaves), and it does seem somewhat worn, so I’m wondering who to keep. I was thinking of selling Mario, Elizabeth, and Holly as a mixed flock trio instead of trying to sell Mario alone. If I do this, I will have 10 chickens which seems like enough.
Silver
Clucky’s girls are growing up beautifully. The lavenders have gotten big and poufy suddenly,
......and Bucky, who is very shy and hard to photograph has incredible plumage. They’re about a month away from laying eggs.
Flicka and Zen are still actively mothering the babies at 7 weeks. Both are molting somewhat and seem worn--Clucky was done with the whole thing at a month!
I was out watching and photographing the chickens last week and all were ranging throughout the enclosure.......
I heard a quiet trilling from the woods that I couldn’t identify--could have easily been bird, mammal, amphibian, or insect. The chickens heard it too and went into hawk-mode before my eyes. They melted into the weeds around the cherry tree at the east end of their enclosure and FROZE. They did not move a muscle for at least a minute. Having spent a lot of time trying to photograph them in low light, I know for a fact that they’re normally never still. This behavior was striking, and I know from watching wild birds that it’s a response to a raptor, but I didn’t see any hawks. After a while all the chickens went back to their activities--it’s nice to see that their instincts serve them well!
Fascinating behavior! I am glad you are getting your brood down to a good level for you. They are such interesting creatures. Great photos too! I'm still curious what made the trilling sound.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the trilling, but yesterday I was out with them and Finn started making noise--sounded vaguely like "Hawk, hawk, hawk" with his eye to the sky. Sure enough, a hawk sailed over riding yesterday's gale force winds. The hens ignored him though, so the trilling must have scared them to death!
ReplyDeleteThanks about the photos. It seems like every time I go out with it, it's a bright sunny day. This camera cannot accommodate filters, and high-contrast days make for lousy photos. Doesn't help that I have high-contrast chickens too!