Everybody’s outside
Lately, more and more of the chickens that came to us from the wild aren’t getting into any room. It looks as if the door is open — but let me say it again: the door is closed. The guinea fowl and ducks are always out, but what’s with all these chickens?
There’s Marron, whose lower leg has gotten bent — our very first applicant for a room. Then these girls: this one has no name, and in the back is a blue one called Sun. There’s that handsome rooster, Peach, and behind him, Chako. They were all chicks until the other day, then suddenly grew up, and I missed my chance to move them into a room. Tricky.
Good morning! Calm down, everyone — move so I can wash this. I scrubbed it shiny yesterday; so much for that.
Meet Kintaro
Today’s chicken corner: an Old English Game Bantam rooster of the Black Breasted Red variety, the same breed as our Kin-chan. He isn’t friendly with me at all.
Driving along a road on the farm in the middle of the night, we saw something like a football lying there. My mom would have driven past, but I said it might be a chicken. And there he was at one in the morning, in the middle of the road, tucked into a small square, asleep. When I grabbed him, he let out a pitiful scream — captured.
We don’t know where he came from, so I’m keeping him for now; if someone turns out to be looking for him, I’ll let them know he’s here.
In Hawaii, this type is called “tabletop.” Because the birds are small, people put them on a table to spar, and whoever falls off loses — a relatively gentle form of cockfighting. Few people do it, since many find it not thrilling enough, but that’s how this cute little bird was developed. Because it’s a fighting breed, his comb has been cut.
Side by side, he and Kin-chan are the same breed, though their faces differ a little. Kin-chan is about five; judging by the length of his spurs, this one is two or three at most. Since we have Kin-chan, I’m naming him… Kintaro. Silly? Yes, I’m silly. Kin-chan and Kintaro, nice to meet you!
A surprise upset
Then Kintaro got into a fight with Piccolo, our security guard. Even though they’re very different in size, Kintaro’s light footwork and kicks won the day. A real fighting bird after all! I didn’t see that coming. Things in the chicken coop may get a bit stormy from here.
Thank you for watching Chicken Paradise! See you in the next episode.