Thursday, January 31, 2008

The rooster and his wife



I have mentioned before that Cliff took pity on the old rooster who lives here and brought home a bride for him, so he wouldn't have to hang out with the cattle for companionship.

When Rooster first realized he had a lady friend, he did a typical little dance around her as though to claim her as his own.  In fact, he danced several times.  Sadie got a little close to the hen, and Rooster attacked, having become protective all of a sudden.  Well, he would have attacked, except that Sadie moves fast.

But we never actually saw the chicken-marriage consummated.

"Just my luck," said Cliff.  "I went to all the trouble of bringing a hen home, and he's impotent."

This morning it occurred to me that since hens don't lay eggs in winter, perhaps chickens don't have relations except during breeding season; that would make sense.

Using my handy-dandy Google, I found out that this is indeed a fact, and I quote:  "Through the winter, poultry have no interest in breeding. There are sound biological reasons for this because, in the wild, the cold weather conditions and general lack of food would mitigate against it. As spring approaches and the day length increases, it is a different scenario."

You'll find the article HERE, although I doubt anybody except Kelly in Georgia will be interested.  There's more than you ever wanted to know about a chicken's love life.

So I guess when the days start getting longer, Mr. and Mrs. Chicken will at long last have a real honeymoon.  And Cliff will no longer have to bear the shame of owning an impotent rooster.


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Now playing: Nancy Griffith, Iris Dement - Ten Degrees And Getting Colder
via FoxyTunes   

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm telling you....the day we move outside city limits is the day I become a Chicken Lady.  :-D

~Amy

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love chickens.  I haven't owned one since I was in my 20's and then children took all my time.  It's a man thing but I'll be glad when Cliff can once again be proud of his rooster.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your Rooster and Hen story.  Something that I never thought about, but it does make a lot of sense.  Thanks for sharing.  LaVern

Anonymous said...

ok then were do all the eggs come from in winter?  
Sandra

Anonymous said...

I guess i should have read the article first... what a beauty pictured there too. Yours are pretty too. My grandfather owned a chicken hatchery and it was very warm but that was so the eggs can hatch... now I wish I would have asked more questions, darn
Sandra

Anonymous said...

That is just SO funny!  lol  Boy I have just been getting so many kicks out of reading journals lately.  Sure hope Cliffs Rooster has some fun soon, just to make him feel better if anything else ;)  

Anonymous said...

LOL, I'm glad that you and Cliff do not have an impotent rooster.
June

Anonymous said...

I'd be the last one to know anything about chickens and roosters, but I remember visiting my grandparents and there were always  fresh eggs at their place.  They had a chicken house and a lot for them to run and scratch in too.  We were always scared to go gather the eggs in, but were always sent.  I think they got a big laugh out of us city girls.  Anyway I'm happy that the Rooster has a bride.
'On Ya'-ma

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear it!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Very interesting entry.  I can't wait to hear the details of the honeymoon.  LOL

Hollie  

P.S.  They're pretty chickens!

Anonymous said...

I betcha we have Grandchicks at Easter.  

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link, I am always interested in learning more! I dont know though...Hank is still going strong, so is Pete...and Tim too. Those are the three main men out there in the yard, and they still show plenty of interest, though I will say it is not as often as in summer. The couple look very happy together.:) I am happy for them.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this entry. You have some good lookin' chickens too. Paula

Anonymous said...

Maybe she is holding out for a ring?

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Well, maybe Ms Chicken is no hussy.  You know?  And maybe spring just is a better time for what chickens do ...

I love my all natural, organic eggs.  One of the guys I work with has chickens and he generously shares the eggs with those of us at work who want and enjoy them.  I am looking forward to spring too!