This is the first time my hens have had visitors of their own species, visitors that do not want to eat them. Cats stalk my hens. Raccoons eat them. Dogs chase them. Snakes eat their eggs. Wild birds use their waterer and eat their food. But, today, when exbf went out to feed the hens when he got here, he hurried back in and told me to come out. "There are black chickens out here in your yard!"
Of course, I grabbed my camera. When the hens had finished eating what exbf had already given to them and came out to me, the black, young, interloper chickens ran into the pen. I closed them up because I was keeping them safe for their owners who live behind me. After a bit, I decided maybe their owners would think I was detaining their chickens. I just wanted the people to rescue their chickens. Exbf went to their house, but no on answered the door. She is a nurse, and I think she works nights.
So, I let the chickens out of my pen. They ran ran ran to escape the pen, AND they flew right up into a tree that is the neighbor's yard--their owner. They flew about 15 feet right up there with little effort, it seemed. We were both impressed. Look right in the middle of the picture below.
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| safe at home in their yard--black head tufts and all The other chicken is up there, too, just hard to spot. It was 10 am and in the 90s already. So, I went back in. It has been 12 hours, and I am still jazzed. I was not witness to little Pepper's first time to exert her pecking order, but exbf said that when she and the little black chickens passed, Pepper made a lunge as if to peck or frighten. I am so glad she had this experience, the only time she may ever experience power! I watched Thelma and Louise just ignore the little black hens. But, Pepper had her day. Your turn Have strange chickens ever just showed up at your house? What kind of chickens are these--jet black with head tufts. Do your neighbors farm animals show up? Of course, I live in the city and usually only have the occasional dog that is not on a leash or a couple of cats looking at the hens. |
I don't know what kind those are, their bodies are very gamey, and the fact that they fly well is more of a game bird talent. I don't know why they'd have tufts on their heads, either, if they were part Silkie they wouldn't be able to fly like that. Or at all. There are a bunch of new breeds that I'm not familiar with, Trabunts for one. I'll do some investigation. Or you could ask your neighbor. If they're hens they may be young, and that's another reason why they fly so well.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're immature Crevecouers? I don't know, they still look gamey to me.
ReplyDeleteI finally got my neighbor to the door. They belong to her son who is not there. She told me to keep them that he would never miss them. She supposes he did not know they could fly. He won't be back for a week. Thanks. They are young because I saw them about two months ago when they were about 4 weeks old. Thanks. Maybe they were so traumatized they won't fly out again. She was surprised about the raccoons visiting and killing hens. I think she is hopeful....
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