MJ's little flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Three days ago I was unsure whether Alice was moulting or not.

I think she is moulting.

The poor girl has lost nearly all her tail feathers and bum fluff overnight!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

For comparison, here is Alice 4 days ago (behind Tsuki)

The feathers have pretty much exploded off her!

 

[Shadrach]

Have you ever read any of the studies equating larger wattles with attractiveness to hens? It seems the bigger the wattles the more the ladies are drawn to him.

I have, and others on comb size. It's not what I see here.
There is this constant problem with many such studies. The study conditions always influence the outcomes. It's something that gets overlooked time after time in the reporting of such studies.
The easiest example is if you confined 20 people in some kind of compound, their behaviour would be noticably different than it would in 'normal' society. It doesn't make the studies worthless but like any lab type studies the results are only applicable to the same study conditions. It's one of the reasons why behavioral studies are so problematical.

 

[Shadrach]

Three days ago I was unsure whether Alice was moulting or not.

View attachment 2078363

I think she is moulting.

View attachment 2078364

View attachment 2078366

The poor girl has lost nearly all her tail feathers and bum fluff overnight!

I feel so badly for hens at moult time.

 

[LozzyR]

I have, and others on comb size. It's not what I see here.
There is this constant problem with many such studies. The study conditions always influence the outcomes. It's something that gets overlooked time after time in the reporting of such studies.
The easiest example is if you confined 20 people in some kind of compound, their behaviour would be noticably different than it would in 'normal' society. It doesn't make the studies worthless but like any lab type studies the results are only applicable to the same study conditions. It's one of the reasons why behavioral studies are so problematical.

Would it be better it was part of a meta-analysis? Though I’m guessing there aren’t multiple studies on rooster comb and wattle attractiveness. Where is the funding for these studies?!

 

[Shadrach]

Would it be better it was part of a meta-analysis? Though I’m guessing there aren’t multiple studies on rooster comb and wattle attractiveness. Where is the funding for these studies?!

There isn't much interest in studying animal behaviour, especially when it comes to chickens.
For most people the fact that eggs come out of one end is all they are interested in.
My rather unpopular view is we could learn a lot about ourselves by studying other creatures.
Unfortunately there is this deeply entrenched view that we humans have other qualities that elevate us above the other creatures on this planet. I have yet to see any evidence of this.
One of the interesting things about the three threads we subscribe to is there is a lot of behavioral information buried in the various accounts, picture and videos.

 

[LozzyR]

There isn't much interest in studying animal behaviour, especially when it comes to chickens.
For most people the fact that eggs come out of one end is all they are interested in.
My rather unpopular view is we could learn a lot about ourselves by studying other creatures.
Unfortunately there is this deeply entrenched view that we humans have other qualities that elevate us above the other creatures on this planet. I have yet to see any evidence of this.
One of the interesting things about the three threads we subscribe to is there is a lot of behavioral information buried in the various accounts, picture and videos.

How about arrogance? Arrogance sets us apart from other animals. I don’t think it elevates us though.

I love hearing about chicken behaviour, and I love seeing my girls’ antics. My two salmons put themselves to bed in the henhouse tonight; Tegan still goes to bed in the tractor and has to be transported. I’d really like to know what’s going on in those little chicken minds!

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[MaryJanet]

For comparison, here is Alice 4 days ago (behind Tsuki)

View attachment 2078383

The feathers have pretty much exploded off her!

That's a very heavy loss of feathers in a short time! Poor thing.

 

[Assuncao CostaPinto]

Oh my goodness - isn't there a lot to learn! Predation prevention, feeding, housing, flock dynamics ... the list goes on and on! But it's a wonderful hobby for me. It really off-sets my work-related stress.

With your chickens you `ll save lots of therapy hours for sure!!And it´s all for free!!!