Recently, Silver (our Silver-Spangled Hamburg rooster) has begun acting more like a young rooster than just a chick. At 10 weeks he's got a bright red wattles and a rose comb that is growing and soon will be larger than his skull. His feathers are finishing out and he's got some developing sickle feathers taking shape near his tail. He's becoming quite the handsome little rooster!He is also becoming protective of the rest of the flock. This morning, a young rabbit was near the chicken run nibbling on the wet grass and as soon as I let the chooks out, Silver spied him. He clucked a loud warning, which instantly made the flock grow quiet. Silver cautiously strutted up to the fence trying to get as close to the bunny as possible. He strutted back and forth trying to appear as large as possible, all the while clucking loudly. I chuckled at the thought of a rooster chasing a harmless baby bunny away!
This afternoon as I spent some time with the chooks, my old tom cat Tyson was out for his evening stroll. He came too close to the run and Silver followed his every move. What was really interesting was that every time Tyson turned, Silver followed the same direction with precision.
Silver is a medium breed and in my flock, he's the smallest. I think he's as tall as he's going to get but his feathers aren't done filling out yet. I wonder why Roo, the big, robust Barred Rock rooster doesn't act this way. Perhaps it's a behavior not all breeds exhibit. In any case, it's very interesting to watch little Silver react whenever he sees something dangerous, even if it is just an old tom cat with two missing fangs!After I let the chooks out this morning, I tossed out some cracked corn and chick food for them, then cleaned up and went to bed. Derek went out to say good morning to the birds and said he saw Rocky climb down from a pine tree and help himself to the free breakfast! What a little mooch!
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ReplyDeleteNot only is silver handsome, he is virile and brave. Oh wait, he's a chicken.
ReplyDeleteBut how awesome. Don said yesterday he could hear so many roosters crowing, it was a cacophony of crowing!
Wonderful post this!
Silver sure is a good-lookin' guy. Beautiful markings! My two cats who go outside are definitely interested in the chickens, but keep their distance. They're not dumb!
ReplyDeleteSilver's a beauty! Roopert, our Silver-Laced Wyandotte, completely ignores my pup, Roxy, but my mom's schnauzer was here yesterday - completely non-threatening, but Roop was very firm in strutting back and forth and clucking his warnings. It was funny to watch. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteRon, our "Rudy" is also a Buff Orp. He's a gentle boy at this point although he has shown interest in mounting the pullets. I've never seen him peck at them like the Australorp boys do, though. Orps seem to be all-around nice birds.
ReplyDeleteRuth, Silver is living proof that you are as big as you think you are! Thank you!
Susan, my sweet, darling little Sweet Pea (barred rock) let our cats know right away that the sharp, pointy thing at the end of her face is the business end of a chicken! The cats give the chooks a wide berth.
Farmgirl, roosters don't play around if they feel there's danger. Aren't they interesting to watch? I call it "chook TV".
That's the way Hamburger is, too, Amy... he is very protective of the hens... much more so than our Rhode Island Red.... Most roosters just want to pick a fight, but Hamburger is always the one who spots danger, (or what he thinks may be danger...) especially when large birds fly over. One very nice thing about Hamburger, too- he is VERY gentle with the hens!! He's the best rooster I've ever had for not wearing out the hens backs. Such a gentleman!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that from you Paula. I sure hope little Silver turns into the same kind of rooster you Hamburger is. Thanks for sharing this info. It is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteNice looking Roo.
ReplyDeleteBTW, wanted to mention I love the banner at the top of your blog. That's very nicely done.
That's a protective rooster! Mine do the squawk thing when a dangerous sparrow or buzzard flies over and are usually the first ones in the coop door! Maybe I need a smaller breed! My cuckoo marans are turning into giants, but don't show a lot of defense. We have a wild turkey grazing outside the chicken run and the chickens are getting used to it. They just chatter to each other when it appears.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post about the evening sounds, it sounds so cacciatore. (bugs bunny)
Rural Writer, thank you! Silver thanks you too.
ReplyDeleteDon, It's amazing how the smallest bird is the bravest. All of my smaller birds make up for their small stature by being the toughest and bravest. My little Hilda is a butt-kicker and she doesn't put up with any nonsense, not even from the roosters. Love the Bugs Bunny quote! I'm a big fan of Warner Bros cartoons.
Amy, don't you realise that Silver doesn't want to become a Tyson chicken dinner?
ReplyDeleteKathie, not to worry, Silver is not slated for the dinner table. We think he's too good looking to eat! (not much meat on the little bugger anyway)
ReplyDeleteWas that a wild bunny? Does your cat bother with Rocky at all?
ReplyDelete