Hello from Chicken Paradise — it’s me and Pen-chan. A little rain today. The people building a chocolate factory kindly gave us their scrap wood: about a full truck bed, with more still to pick up. So grateful!
Meet Kiwi
Kiwi is a Gold Laced Wyandotte, and she went through a lot to grow this big. She was healthy as a chick, but pneumonia left her a bit weak. When she moved from the house into the coop, she caught eye worm, which was going around, and lost much of the sight in both eyes.
She reached about two without laying, and I thought maybe she never would. Then at about two and a half — the age when laying usually drops and hens are culled — she suddenly laid her first egg one day. Now the more she eats, the more eggs she lays. Because she was sick, she’s very used to people. “Gold laced” refers to the pretty, lace-like pattern on her feathers.
How a rooster is built
Today our rooster Satoshi is helping me explain. Roosters exist to protect their hens, so they’re built to fight. Their pointed hackle feathers rise like a mane in battle mode. Their sharp beak is thicker than a hen’s and much stronger. On the legs are spurs, used to gouge an enemy. A red face and comb are the best sign of a healthy rooster, and hens and other roosters look at them to judge his strength.
Roosters fight each other to protect the hens in their group, or to protect their rank. Against hawks or cats, a rooster goes out first and will even give his life to keep his hens safe. Such a kind heart.
Then a real rooster fight (if they fight, I stop it within about a minute). First out was Carl, then Almond, who really doesn’t trust people, then the rowdy brothers, Hare-chan and Cheese. It may have been hard to follow, but Carl won. So, Carl, how does it feel to be the champion? He was too busy eating yesterday’s leftover feed off the floor.
Cucumber day
A farmer a friend knows gave us lots of cucumbers, so I’m cutting up the slightly damaged ones. Chickens love them, and on hot days cucumbers give them vitamins, not just water. When I once tried growing cucumbers, bugs got them fast, so a little damage doesn’t bother me.
I hand them out over several feedings. On really hot days I freeze cubes, like unsweetened ice pops. Ouch — Monarch ate my finger! Balloon, you’re eating too much! A weak rooster watched sadly from above.
Thank you for watching Chicken Paradise Hawaii. See you next time!