That up there is my coop, but I couldn't get it to fit in the picture thing, so there's white at the sides...
Anyway, this is a page for my chickens! I shall describe their personalities, gives pictures, tell about what's been happening, and whatnot.
Anyway, this is a page for my chickens! I shall describe their personalities, gives pictures, tell about what's been happening, and whatnot.
Here's a better picture of the coop. As you probably noticed, we painted it. It's supposed to look like the night sky. There's a moon painted on the egg-box, as we call it.
Ok, here's the introduction to my little modern dinosaurs, AKA my chickens. I have two breeds; Golden Sex Link (AKA, GSL.) and Buff Orpington. I have only six chickens, but they are my beloved and loving pets none the less. I'll describe my hens in order of their ranks in the pecking order. The three up in this picture are the three GSLs.
Goldie
Goldie is my lead hen, top of the pecking order, and a buff orpington. She is a strict leader, but generally kind, and very cuddly. If you sit down somewhere, she will hop up on your lap, and start making these sort of... 'Buh-buh' noises. She is also very protective, and while she keeps all the other hens in line, she also keeps my cat Vex in line too. Our dog, Pixey, is also no exception. broody, she can be quite irritated when being taken off her eggs, and will fluff up and make deep, threatening 'bock bock bock' noises if you try to take her off. She tends to get indignant, especially if any contact is made with her rear area for some reason. It's as if the world is too lowly to dare offend her. As of recently, she's become a bit more stern and slightly cruel... Though, it may just be a snappy and grumpy phase she's going through. Just recently, I worried she was egg-bound, but we fixed that. Though, poor Goldie had to go through some pain, still... At least she wasn't exactly egg-bound, because that can certainly be fatal sometimes.
Goldie is my lead hen, top of the pecking order, and a buff orpington. She is a strict leader, but generally kind, and very cuddly. If you sit down somewhere, she will hop up on your lap, and start making these sort of... 'Buh-buh' noises. She is also very protective, and while she keeps all the other hens in line, she also keeps my cat Vex in line too. Our dog, Pixey, is also no exception. broody, she can be quite irritated when being taken off her eggs, and will fluff up and make deep, threatening 'bock bock bock' noises if you try to take her off. She tends to get indignant, especially if any contact is made with her rear area for some reason. It's as if the world is too lowly to dare offend her. As of recently, she's become a bit more stern and slightly cruel... Though, it may just be a snappy and grumpy phase she's going through. Just recently, I worried she was egg-bound, but we fixed that. Though, poor Goldie had to go through some pain, still... At least she wasn't exactly egg-bound, because that can certainly be fatal sometimes.
As you can see, she as a vigilant and stern expression. Also, her comb flops over one eye a bit. That comb also bounces up and down when she waddles or runs.
She is also a very fluffy chicken, and the lightest hued of all my orpingtons. At least, I think. Despite her strictness and sternness, she still grooms the other hens on rainy days. It's either she loves them, or their untidy feathers offend her... Probably both.
Goldie protectively standing in between her sisters and the camera, now waddling up to confront it...
Here's a picture of Goldie confronting poor Pixey. The dog should have never stolen their bacon... Oh, and our yard is a mess, as you can clearly see.
Zanari
Ok, now for Zanari. She is second in command, and another oprington. She used to be first in command, but Goldie took her rank, it seems. When she was still the top hen, though, she used to make attempts at crowing like a rooster. Some lead hens do this, and Zanari was one of them; and she sounded like a little T-rex trying to roar. Unlike the other chickens, who seeming to growl and cluck, Zanari has her own way of saying things. Instead of clucking, she makes stoic 'Ahh's and 'Ohh's for statements, and she kinda sounds like she's honking. When she's happy, she emits these adorable trillings, kinda like an 'eeep' or 'eeerp.' Zanari is also my most curious hen, always exploring things. The compost, the prickly-pear cactus, what's inside her owner's mouth, why Pixey flinches when she pecks at the poor thing's eye... It also includes exploring the camera, and -To my distress.- the yard next door where the neighbors don't really want her. She is also my most intelligent, and when I did intelligence 'tests' or 'quizzes' with my hens, she figured them out the quickest. Oh, and Zanari is a big fluffy odd-ball. Whenever she sits of my lap, she lays on her side, of all things. And, if she tries to make noises while eating, it results in a 'nom nom nom' sound. She apparently likes the taste of my hair, because she's always trying to eat it. Also a very cuddly hen, Zanari will hop right up onto your lap if you sit down anywhere.
Resistance of the cuddle-bug Zanari is futile.
However, she seems sensitive in manners of trying not to offend, despite how her stoic clucks might make it seem as if she wouldn't care. Zanari will avoid offending her sisters, and she's quite loyal to them and me, though she's very motherly and nurturing. It doesn't seems as if she'd ever try to offend any being unless necessary.
Zanari was the first chicken I took to a park for others to see. She scratched up numerous grubs, and the children were very happy to see her, but it was hot outside. Eventually, I just had her sitting sideways on my lap, because she was tired. Practically going to sleep, too.
Ok, now for Zanari. She is second in command, and another oprington. She used to be first in command, but Goldie took her rank, it seems. When she was still the top hen, though, she used to make attempts at crowing like a rooster. Some lead hens do this, and Zanari was one of them; and she sounded like a little T-rex trying to roar. Unlike the other chickens, who seeming to growl and cluck, Zanari has her own way of saying things. Instead of clucking, she makes stoic 'Ahh's and 'Ohh's for statements, and she kinda sounds like she's honking. When she's happy, she emits these adorable trillings, kinda like an 'eeep' or 'eeerp.' Zanari is also my most curious hen, always exploring things. The compost, the prickly-pear cactus, what's inside her owner's mouth, why Pixey flinches when she pecks at the poor thing's eye... It also includes exploring the camera, and -To my distress.- the yard next door where the neighbors don't really want her. She is also my most intelligent, and when I did intelligence 'tests' or 'quizzes' with my hens, she figured them out the quickest. Oh, and Zanari is a big fluffy odd-ball. Whenever she sits of my lap, she lays on her side, of all things. And, if she tries to make noises while eating, it results in a 'nom nom nom' sound. She apparently likes the taste of my hair, because she's always trying to eat it. Also a very cuddly hen, Zanari will hop right up onto your lap if you sit down anywhere.
Resistance of the cuddle-bug Zanari is futile.
However, she seems sensitive in manners of trying not to offend, despite how her stoic clucks might make it seem as if she wouldn't care. Zanari will avoid offending her sisters, and she's quite loyal to them and me, though she's very motherly and nurturing. It doesn't seems as if she'd ever try to offend any being unless necessary.
Zanari was the first chicken I took to a park for others to see. She scratched up numerous grubs, and the children were very happy to see her, but it was hot outside. Eventually, I just had her sitting sideways on my lap, because she was tired. Practically going to sleep, too.
There's Zanari, standing under the compost... She's exploring the camera, apparently. She's a very brave hen, approaching unknown things that the others usually avoid...
Zanari. Why do you do this to me? Why can you not lay your eggs in the egg-box, and not the honey-suckle?
Here's Zanari staring at a bug crawling on the sidewalk... You can't see it in the picture, though.
Just a top few of her floppy comb. Both Zanari and Goldie have floppy combs.
Edit: Zanari is no longer with me. She passed away not long ago, exact cause unknown... I don't remember the date. I don't often remember dates. That which there is to know, is that I was intensely sad.
Edit: Zanari is no longer with me. She passed away not long ago, exact cause unknown... I don't remember the date. I don't often remember dates. That which there is to know, is that I was intensely sad.
Grace
Grace. What a name for what is really our most fierce hen... Grace is a GSL, and a rather voracious one, as they usually are. She's a warrior, I guess you could say, seeing she's so aggressive towards other species. She charges at the chickadees and other birds in the yard, only not clawing them because they fly away too quickly. She'll tolerate Pixey and Vex, Though. She seems to claim the yard as her and flock's territory, and doesn't tolerate trespassers. But apparently, your OK if you bring food. She is loyal and obedient to the flock and me, and like many of my hens, she comes at my call. With her sisters, she is caring and protective, and often participates in rainy-day groomings with her sisters, AKA fellow hens. She has the most testosterone out of all my hens, and she's even starting to grow little spurs... She nearly attacked my grandmother for 'intruding' on the yard when I wasn't around, and my great grandmother mistook her for a rooster. If you visit the yard, and don't want Grace tearing up your leg, then I suggest you let me go out there with you, because she seems to behave a bit more when I'm around. As of recently, some peach-colored cat has been sneaking in and stealing Vex's food... Vex is a big cat, and would totally show that peach-colored cat (We call him 'Peaches' to insult him) who's boss, but because of his lower spine injury, he can't catch up when Peaches starts running.
But sometimes Grace gets close enough, and that REALLY sends Peaches running.
Also, this fall, Grace fell ill. She got to sleep in my room that night, swathed up in a towel, and we gave her some medicine n' stuff... When she got better, we put her back out in the yard again, and I'm glad she's better.
Grace is also the hen I took to the beach once. She kept on trying to wander into the sea grass, and fearing banded sea snakes (Which are one of the world's most deadly snakes, I'd be rightfully concerned) I kept of trying to keep her away from it. In all, she glared at a few passing strangers (Grace can act a bit rooster-like at times), glared at pelicans flying over head, gobbled up some sea-shells for grit, and enjoyed eating new kinds of grass. Also nearly ate the prickly-pears we picked there.
She enjoyed herself, but as the sun sort began to set, and the sea breeze was just ever-so-slightly-chilly (She's not a breed too fond of cold weather) we brought her back home. Walking back to the car, with Grace, I saw someone walking their dog, and warned them to hold the leash because it was a chicken I had in my arms. They nodded. And then I added, Grace would be just as likely to try to 'spur' (Or peck. But her scratching is more likely. I've had my chickens try to scratch creatures.) his dog in the face as the dog would want to bite her. He reassured me that the dog wasn't an aggressive one/hunting one, but... Grace would technically still try to tear the poor thing up if she got the chance, if I know my chicken well.
And I believe I do.
Grace. What a name for what is really our most fierce hen... Grace is a GSL, and a rather voracious one, as they usually are. She's a warrior, I guess you could say, seeing she's so aggressive towards other species. She charges at the chickadees and other birds in the yard, only not clawing them because they fly away too quickly. She'll tolerate Pixey and Vex, Though. She seems to claim the yard as her and flock's territory, and doesn't tolerate trespassers. But apparently, your OK if you bring food. She is loyal and obedient to the flock and me, and like many of my hens, she comes at my call. With her sisters, she is caring and protective, and often participates in rainy-day groomings with her sisters, AKA fellow hens. She has the most testosterone out of all my hens, and she's even starting to grow little spurs... She nearly attacked my grandmother for 'intruding' on the yard when I wasn't around, and my great grandmother mistook her for a rooster. If you visit the yard, and don't want Grace tearing up your leg, then I suggest you let me go out there with you, because she seems to behave a bit more when I'm around. As of recently, some peach-colored cat has been sneaking in and stealing Vex's food... Vex is a big cat, and would totally show that peach-colored cat (We call him 'Peaches' to insult him) who's boss, but because of his lower spine injury, he can't catch up when Peaches starts running.
But sometimes Grace gets close enough, and that REALLY sends Peaches running.
Also, this fall, Grace fell ill. She got to sleep in my room that night, swathed up in a towel, and we gave her some medicine n' stuff... When she got better, we put her back out in the yard again, and I'm glad she's better.
Grace is also the hen I took to the beach once. She kept on trying to wander into the sea grass, and fearing banded sea snakes (Which are one of the world's most deadly snakes, I'd be rightfully concerned) I kept of trying to keep her away from it. In all, she glared at a few passing strangers (Grace can act a bit rooster-like at times), glared at pelicans flying over head, gobbled up some sea-shells for grit, and enjoyed eating new kinds of grass. Also nearly ate the prickly-pears we picked there.
She enjoyed herself, but as the sun sort began to set, and the sea breeze was just ever-so-slightly-chilly (She's not a breed too fond of cold weather) we brought her back home. Walking back to the car, with Grace, I saw someone walking their dog, and warned them to hold the leash because it was a chicken I had in my arms. They nodded. And then I added, Grace would be just as likely to try to 'spur' (Or peck. But her scratching is more likely. I've had my chickens try to scratch creatures.) his dog in the face as the dog would want to bite her. He reassured me that the dog wasn't an aggressive one/hunting one, but... Grace would technically still try to tear the poor thing up if she got the chance, if I know my chicken well.
And I believe I do.
She didn't want to cooperate with the camera, so the picture is a bit off... Apparently, Grace just wanted to attack the camera.
Here's a better picture of Grace. You can seen the lighter feathers on her back, which is one of the ways I quickly identify her.
Here's Grace enjoying the view... Well, I don't see what she's enjoying; it's a stormy day, nothing to look at... Or, maybe she's watching for trespassing birds that might land in the garden.
Grace making her daily 'patrols' around the porch and yard for trespassers...
Edit: Grace has also passed away. The vet said it was either issue with her heart or her liver, but either way, she wasn't doing well... We were advised to put her down. Grace's death came before Zanari's, as Zanari left soon after her's. It leads me to wonder if the two are connected some how... Regardless, it goes to say, her death upset me, as it did with any of my chickens.
Hazel
Hazel is a cheerful, bright-eyed hen that loves to be cuddled, and actively begs for it if I sit down anywhere in the yard. And if I won't cuddle her, she'll just sit next to me, or lean on me while laying on her side. If I stand in one place for too long, she'll sit on my foot. This GSL seems to constantly need attention and company, and if she can't get it from me, she'll bother her sisters for it. She and Zanari often have to share my lap sometimes, but the two are friends for as much as I know. Hazel also seems connected to Grace, often accompanying her territorial sibling on 'patrols,' but not really attacking things as Grace does. Hazel is often kind with her sisters, me, and our guests, and very friendly. She does well with children too, it seems. Whenever we bring a chicken into the house, it is often Hazel. Surprisingly, she is also of good enough 'quality' or 'complexion' as chickens go, that we could enter her in a 4H chicken show, and have a chance at winning. But, they expect you to sell your chicken if you enter a chicken show, and there is no way I'm selling dear Hazel. She's a very social and friendly hen. Hazel is perky and friendly.
I brought her to a park once, during a certain homeschooling group's 'park-day.' Many of the children were very entertained with her, though she got a bit nervous when too many were surrounding her. A small group of mothers and their very young children had a sort of 'goldfish spill' and when I brought Hazel over to show them, she had fun eating those up for them.
Edit: Grace has also passed away. The vet said it was either issue with her heart or her liver, but either way, she wasn't doing well... We were advised to put her down. Grace's death came before Zanari's, as Zanari left soon after her's. It leads me to wonder if the two are connected some how... Regardless, it goes to say, her death upset me, as it did with any of my chickens.
Hazel
Hazel is a cheerful, bright-eyed hen that loves to be cuddled, and actively begs for it if I sit down anywhere in the yard. And if I won't cuddle her, she'll just sit next to me, or lean on me while laying on her side. If I stand in one place for too long, she'll sit on my foot. This GSL seems to constantly need attention and company, and if she can't get it from me, she'll bother her sisters for it. She and Zanari often have to share my lap sometimes, but the two are friends for as much as I know. Hazel also seems connected to Grace, often accompanying her territorial sibling on 'patrols,' but not really attacking things as Grace does. Hazel is often kind with her sisters, me, and our guests, and very friendly. She does well with children too, it seems. Whenever we bring a chicken into the house, it is often Hazel. Surprisingly, she is also of good enough 'quality' or 'complexion' as chickens go, that we could enter her in a 4H chicken show, and have a chance at winning. But, they expect you to sell your chicken if you enter a chicken show, and there is no way I'm selling dear Hazel. She's a very social and friendly hen. Hazel is perky and friendly.
I brought her to a park once, during a certain homeschooling group's 'park-day.' Many of the children were very entertained with her, though she got a bit nervous when too many were surrounding her. A small group of mothers and their very young children had a sort of 'goldfish spill' and when I brought Hazel over to show them, she had fun eating those up for them.
There's Hazel and her quality feathers and comb.
A picture I took of Hazel as she grazes. Or, she was grazing, up looked up to look at the camera.
Grace and Hazel foraging by the honeysuckle.
Edit: Hazel passed away last year, night of my 15th birthday. She was the first of my chickens to loose, and certainly caused me the most grief, for I felt it was my fault; I had accidentally lock her out of the coop at night. I had seen no chickens in the yard, and assuming they were all in the coop, I closed it, not bothering to check. I heavily regret that, for there was a fox that night... The world didn't look the same for a while after Hazel's death. And believe me, I'll never make the mistake of forgetting to check again. Ever. I miss my chickens very much...
Silkie
Silkie, my little bundle of voraciousness. Silkie is almost always searching for food, and the lowest-ranking of the GSLs. She has a darker hue to her feathers, and often beady gaze. Her favorite noise to make is 'RRRRK, RRRK. RRRK,' Apparently, this is chicken for 'FEED ME.' She is very frisky and cautious,which doesn't get her very far in the pecking order, because she evades the pecks instead of pecking back. Though she can be difficult to coax because of her cautiousness, once you actually start cuddling Silkie and she discovers/re-discovers THAT SHE ACTUALLY LIKES TO BE CUDDLED, then she'll start being cuddly. She seems to love people, always following them around... But, that's because they might have food. Despite her voraciousness and prehistoric-like actions and traits, she can actually be quite loving, and I often find her grooming her sisters. If she seems curious about something, I bet you the thoughts running in her head are 'Is it food or not?'
Edit: Hazel passed away last year, night of my 15th birthday. She was the first of my chickens to loose, and certainly caused me the most grief, for I felt it was my fault; I had accidentally lock her out of the coop at night. I had seen no chickens in the yard, and assuming they were all in the coop, I closed it, not bothering to check. I heavily regret that, for there was a fox that night... The world didn't look the same for a while after Hazel's death. And believe me, I'll never make the mistake of forgetting to check again. Ever. I miss my chickens very much...
Silkie
Silkie, my little bundle of voraciousness. Silkie is almost always searching for food, and the lowest-ranking of the GSLs. She has a darker hue to her feathers, and often beady gaze. Her favorite noise to make is 'RRRRK, RRRK. RRRK,' Apparently, this is chicken for 'FEED ME.' She is very frisky and cautious,which doesn't get her very far in the pecking order, because she evades the pecks instead of pecking back. Though she can be difficult to coax because of her cautiousness, once you actually start cuddling Silkie and she discovers/re-discovers THAT SHE ACTUALLY LIKES TO BE CUDDLED, then she'll start being cuddly. She seems to love people, always following them around... But, that's because they might have food. Despite her voraciousness and prehistoric-like actions and traits, she can actually be quite loving, and I often find her grooming her sisters. If she seems curious about something, I bet you the thoughts running in her head are 'Is it food or not?'
There's the adorable Silkie.
It was hard to get pictures of Silkie, because she didn't like the noise the camera made, and she was frisky.
Silkie and Hazel doing 'chicken things.'
Silkie staring at the cracks under the porch. The poor thing must think something is going to slither out one day.
Edit: Silkie, too, is no longer with me. She was the last of my chickens to pass away. I saw symtoms of something being wrong a day prior, and we set her up to a vet appointment, but the next day... Whenever any of my hens have left, It's left me deeply upset. I'm glad I took these pictures and wrote this stuff down so many years ago, however, so that I'd have pictures of them.
Clover
Clover is the last of my chickens, and the most low-ranking. She used to be above the GSLs, in between Zanari and Grace, but sorta lost her rank because she was being broody in the coop, and so the hens below her sorta lost their respect for her rank, because she wasn't actively upholding it in the flock. Clover is very protective, especially of her eggs. I often have to take her off, and then she's all fluffy with grumpy broodiness. She is frisky, though, since she lost her rank, and often keeps her distance a bit from the others, sorta ranking her as an outcast. But she's very tame, and you can walk right up and pick her up, and once you do, she'll start acting cuddly and giving those cute 'chicken-purrs' that chickens emit when happy. In fact, she'll even come up and beg to be cuddled. She's the 'odd-ball' out of the flock it seems, a bit awkward as things go... She's a bit on the scrawny side, possibly because she's always last to eat if you don't count Pixey and Vex.
Edit: Silkie, too, is no longer with me. She was the last of my chickens to pass away. I saw symtoms of something being wrong a day prior, and we set her up to a vet appointment, but the next day... Whenever any of my hens have left, It's left me deeply upset. I'm glad I took these pictures and wrote this stuff down so many years ago, however, so that I'd have pictures of them.
Clover
Clover is the last of my chickens, and the most low-ranking. She used to be above the GSLs, in between Zanari and Grace, but sorta lost her rank because she was being broody in the coop, and so the hens below her sorta lost their respect for her rank, because she wasn't actively upholding it in the flock. Clover is very protective, especially of her eggs. I often have to take her off, and then she's all fluffy with grumpy broodiness. She is frisky, though, since she lost her rank, and often keeps her distance a bit from the others, sorta ranking her as an outcast. But she's very tame, and you can walk right up and pick her up, and once you do, she'll start acting cuddly and giving those cute 'chicken-purrs' that chickens emit when happy. In fact, she'll even come up and beg to be cuddled. She's the 'odd-ball' out of the flock it seems, a bit awkward as things go... She's a bit on the scrawny side, possibly because she's always last to eat if you don't count Pixey and Vex.
Clover kinda tried to eat the camera...
Why will she not face the camera unless she gets to eat it?
Here's clover being a broody fluff-ball.
A close-up of her broody fluff-ball-ness.
Clover continues to glare at the camera...