The small community of 3 chickens that reside in the small hen house adjacent to the Vineyard Church have a new resident and a mighty fine specimen is he!!
They all think so! Even the independent and fearless Henny Penny has curtailed her solitary walks by herself to join the harem.
After a few snide visits from a mongoose, and much discussion amongst my workers, we decided to dispatch Jamsi, the chicken “expert” to find us a MAN to protect these hapless women (chickens, that is to say). He returned triumphant with a gorgeous specimen. We all thought so. He has no name at this point and we are open to suggestions. I have had some R rated names suggested by my daughters that we cannot accommodate. It would never do to have a pastor’s wife calling to her rooster in an unseemly manner.
On his arrival Mr Hen, his temporary name for now, announced his presence with alacrity. He paced around the yard shouting “I am here” well actually it was “mimi ni hapa” (Swahili)…. “anyone going to challenge me?” After a brief calling duel with a nearby rooster, he settled into inspect the garden.
The hens hardly seemed to notice him at first. They were content to scratch around and find shade under the leaves of the Monstera Deliciosa plant. It was only when it came to bed down that night that they seem to work out the “pecking order”. Ordinarily, they all sleep in the same nesting box – all 3 squeezed in – supposedly because it is cold??? (coming from Canada, I find this hard to believe). My theory is that it is a bonding issue. Anyway, enter Mr Hen…
Well, that night, all 4 slept in the same nesting box with Mr Hen on top!! It was kind of a statement of dominance. He is, after all, their night watchman, their guard by day and as time continues…. He Is becoming their husband.
The day workers/guards kept me updated. “He has married the 2 smaller chickens: Little Red Hen and Easter” they would tell me. Henny Penny, the larger hen, continued her independent ways, unphased by this new man in the house. While the others followed him around adoringly, Henny Penny continued to dig for worms in the far end of the garden, undeterred by squirrels, mongoose or any other predator. Her focus did not waiver from the task of extracting nutrients from the earth.
Today, 2 weeks after Mr Hens arrival, I noticed Henny Penny had joined the others. Instead of being far away from her sisters and new husband, she too has been smitten. Her once nonchalant air of dismissing the other chickens has dissolved. The news today was “he has made “her” his wife too, Mama”. This is good news indeed. Henny Penny is safer now. She is no longer separated from the others. Mr Hen runs a tight ship and should any of them stray, he does a quick run at them to herd them back together. He also leads them to greener pastures where there are more worms. To date they huddled in the dust bowls near their hen house, or visited the workers kitchen for tomato scraps while Henny Penny scratched around the gate. Now the whole family has ventured down to the larger garden where the green grass beckons and they graze together. The mongoose’ chances have diminished!!
"Mr Hen" protecting his ladies...
The Hen Family and mama
"Mr Hen" dances with Henny Penny!
They all think so! Even the independent and fearless Henny Penny has curtailed her solitary walks by herself to join the harem.
After a few snide visits from a mongoose, and much discussion amongst my workers, we decided to dispatch Jamsi, the chicken “expert” to find us a MAN to protect these hapless women (chickens, that is to say). He returned triumphant with a gorgeous specimen. We all thought so. He has no name at this point and we are open to suggestions. I have had some R rated names suggested by my daughters that we cannot accommodate. It would never do to have a pastor’s wife calling to her rooster in an unseemly manner.
On his arrival Mr Hen, his temporary name for now, announced his presence with alacrity. He paced around the yard shouting “I am here” well actually it was “mimi ni hapa” (Swahili)…. “anyone going to challenge me?” After a brief calling duel with a nearby rooster, he settled into inspect the garden.
The hens hardly seemed to notice him at first. They were content to scratch around and find shade under the leaves of the Monstera Deliciosa plant. It was only when it came to bed down that night that they seem to work out the “pecking order”. Ordinarily, they all sleep in the same nesting box – all 3 squeezed in – supposedly because it is cold??? (coming from Canada, I find this hard to believe). My theory is that it is a bonding issue. Anyway, enter Mr Hen…
Well, that night, all 4 slept in the same nesting box with Mr Hen on top!! It was kind of a statement of dominance. He is, after all, their night watchman, their guard by day and as time continues…. He Is becoming their husband.
The day workers/guards kept me updated. “He has married the 2 smaller chickens: Little Red Hen and Easter” they would tell me. Henny Penny, the larger hen, continued her independent ways, unphased by this new man in the house. While the others followed him around adoringly, Henny Penny continued to dig for worms in the far end of the garden, undeterred by squirrels, mongoose or any other predator. Her focus did not waiver from the task of extracting nutrients from the earth.
Today, 2 weeks after Mr Hens arrival, I noticed Henny Penny had joined the others. Instead of being far away from her sisters and new husband, she too has been smitten. Her once nonchalant air of dismissing the other chickens has dissolved. The news today was “he has made “her” his wife too, Mama”. This is good news indeed. Henny Penny is safer now. She is no longer separated from the others. Mr Hen runs a tight ship and should any of them stray, he does a quick run at them to herd them back together. He also leads them to greener pastures where there are more worms. To date they huddled in the dust bowls near their hen house, or visited the workers kitchen for tomato scraps while Henny Penny scratched around the gate. Now the whole family has ventured down to the larger garden where the green grass beckons and they graze together. The mongoose’ chances have diminished!!
"Mr Hen" protecting his ladies...
The Hen Family and mama
"Mr Hen" dances with Henny Penny!
Comments
Be careful with the mating and the eggs.
Chickens will be lovely but the hens will go broody.
how about Reginald , Cocky Locky or Roob?