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Australia
I ran away from teaching to the country to grow veggies. There are also some chooks and a pair of troublesome goats who were so much trouble they had to go! My simple green life isn't always as simple or as green as I'd like...but I keep trying!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Balding

Rocky, the plymouth rock rooster, 
struts about the yard
oozing proprietary confidence.

He takes his pleasure when, where
and with whomever he pleases.
The instant the araucanas began to lay
they attracted his carnal interest.

His genes are dominant.
Nine of the eleven chicks, hatched
this season, have variations of his barred plumage.


But even a stud like Rocky,
has to moult.
The two remaining tailfeathers
blow about in the wind,
like a very bad comb-over on
a bald man.



His undies are on view for all to see.


He still has all the moves
and can shake a tail feather - or two.

Mind you, Heckle doesn't seem too impressed
in this instance!




9 comments:

  1. brian my chicken neighbour expert who used to show chickens told me that what ever the male is ,is what will be dominant...hes a lovely looking fella even with his under garments on show..the young ones like that these days

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is completely untrue. Barring is dominant over most colors which is why barring shows up in most of these chicks.

      Delete
  2. I have served your girls well. I have protected and guided your girls. I make my presence known early each morning. I am a beautiful specimen! Why do you humiliate me by posting these embarrassing photos? I am so embarassed! ROCKY

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hazel, I know it's moulting season but one of my chooks is almost completely bald. She looks terrible... and not just in the underpant area. I'm wondering if she's sick although she is eating and moving about. Or maybe another chook is having a go at her... or maybe the puppy got her when I wasn't looking... or maybe I worry too much. Rocky still looks pretty handsome to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is possible she has mites or lice. Dust her anyway, just in case.

      Delete
    2. VG...some chickens moult all at once, others take their time and do it bit by bit. I saw a chicken on Dances WithFrogs that had lost almost all of its feathers at once. Growing new feathers takes lots of protein. Make sure you keep the feed up to them. Some people even give them a bit of cat food when they are moulting...up to you.

      Delete
  4. One day when we stop flitting around the country side we will get some chooks. Maybe ISA browns and some light sussex. No foxes here to worry about only pythons and goannas. Of course, hawks too. Free range and locked away securely at night. Of course they will all be named. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Haha!! Lol. My araucanas are moulting

    ReplyDelete

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