Hi Folks! This is King Goldie Sr. speaking. While little Prince Goldie Jr. is over there charming Bossie Betty and enjoying a warm dust bath, it’s up to me to keep the ladies in line. Not only do I have to make sure their henhouse gossip doesn’t get out of hand, but I’m responsible for their welfare in every way.
I make sure to sound the alarm if predators come around, so they can all run for cover.
I make sure there’s no “bock-bock-bock bickering” going on.
And yes … sigh … it’s up to me to make sure they eat right. They all have to get their fruit and vegetables or they won’t be up to the work of laying the best eggs in my kingdom.
So come on, my pretties, eat your veggies. You can scratch for grain any time, but these special veggies are a real treat. And if I hear any bickering, I’ll remind you to look at the enforcers on my legs. But don’t worry. They’re mainly to defend my kingdom, not to hurt my ladies. Just “cock-a-doodle-do” as you’re told.
Pretty nice set of enforcers, don’t you think?
Ladies! Ladies! Stop the squawk!
All I hear is “Bock-bock-bawk.”
Dinner’s served and it won’t last,
Want your veggies? Get here fast.
Stop the bock-bock-bickering,
Stop your silly dithering,
Veggies, leafy, green, and good,
Healthy fare, it’s understood.
I’ll stand guard so you can eat,
Cabbage, celery, and beet,
In the morning you will lay,
Eggs of quality, I pray.
As for me, I have my job,
While I pick at this corn cob,
But if danger here occurs,
I’ll protect you with my spurs.
January 30, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Your animal stories about your many friends around your home are impressive, Anneli!
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January 30, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Thank you, Peter. I’m glad you enjoy them. They all have so much to say!
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January 30, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Oh my. I didn’t realize roosters had such amazing weapons!
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January 30, 2023 at 5:41 pm
His are especially big.
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January 30, 2023 at 4:43 pm
He’s appropriately bossy for an enforcer. Hmmm, are those really spurs on his feet?
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January 30, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Yes! They really are. Amazing, aren’t they?
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January 30, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Well, those spurs certainly help to explain the nasty sport of cock fighting. I don’t know what I thought went on in a cock fight, but it’s clearly more than feather fluffing!
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January 30, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Definitely more. It is nasty, as you say. I don’t like it at all that it is even allowed.
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January 30, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Is that what the roosters are for–to protect the chickens? My sis has 4 chickens, no roosters, but she’s pretty good at frightening off the predators!
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January 30, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Apparently this rooster does let our warning calls if there is an eagle or an owl nearby. But honestly, I think the spurs are there to deter any other rooster from getting near his hens.
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January 30, 2023 at 10:52 pm
Yes, those spurs are well-developed! Thanks for sharing your great pictures and poem about these lovelies. Did you get some eggs?
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January 31, 2023 at 12:13 am
Very nice pictures of the King, impressive spurs on this |King of the flock. We kept Guineas with the chickens and they warned the chickens if there was an eagle around before the rooster did, they are the best warning system for your lifestock you can have. I like your poem a lot too!
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January 31, 2023 at 9:22 am
Yes, the Guinea fowl are good at that. I don’t think I’ve seen any around here on any farms, but they would be good to have. Thanks for your comment, Ursula. Glad you liked my poem.
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January 31, 2023 at 5:38 am
Ahhh chickens and roosters. I remember those days when I was young. At the time, I did not think there was much to crow about. Good story Anneli. Allan
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January 31, 2023 at 9:23 am
LOL I’m giving them their day in the limelight now, Allan.
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January 31, 2023 at 7:26 am
He’s a handsome one. Another fine tale.
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January 31, 2023 at 9:24 am
Thank you, Belinda.
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January 31, 2023 at 8:57 am
This is so cute, Anneli, and that is one daunting set of enforcers!
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January 31, 2023 at 9:24 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen spurs like that.
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January 31, 2023 at 9:59 am
Did you hear about the chickens in America and how they haven’t been laying eggs for months? Guess you haven’t had that problem up there in Canada. The temperature looks mild, too, with that sunshine.
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January 31, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Yes, I heard a couple of people interviewed who thought it was something to do with the chicken feed, and when they changed to another brand, the hens started laying again. There’s funny stuff going on with the poultry business – all those mysterious fires….
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January 31, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Yep.
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January 31, 2023 at 11:38 am
It’s a blessing to know that someone is watching over the henhouse. Obviously, some are cackling about much nonsense.
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January 31, 2023 at 2:26 pm
King Goldie has some impressive spurs, Anneli. All he needs is some armor. The ladies look pretty happy with the feast. And it seems the sun is out too. A very cute poem too. 🙂
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January 31, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Thanks, Diana. It was a good day all around.
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February 4, 2023 at 6:10 am
I love this!
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February 4, 2023 at 10:38 am
Thank you Jennie. This flock of chickens at my friend’s place is the happiest I’ve ever seen. I kept thinking of the ads I’ve seen in Mexico where they have big chicken signs that say, “Pollo feliz” (the happy chicken).
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February 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
That is wonderful, Anneli!
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February 11, 2023 at 6:45 am
He looks like a force to be reckoned with. Is he pretty noisy too?
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February 11, 2023 at 9:34 am
I don’t hear him much because he belongs to our friends, but whenever we visit, he’s pretty quiet. Struts back and forth though, “minding the store.”
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