Important note: I anthropomorphize the chickens a little bit here, for fun. The chickens are 4 months old, as of writing this.
THE BIELEFELDERS
There are chickens, and then there are BEST CHICKENS. While it is true that I have not met every chicken ever to have existed, these very chickens are the best chickens I’ve ever had. Exceptionally friendly, intelligent, and even kind to one another over things like food scuffles, so far these cuties have wedged themselves so far into my heart that there’s just no room left for anything else. I have become a chicken elemental.
Above: Snoozing in my lap
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
QUEEN TITANIA The Queen is the most beautiful hen in the universe. She is the queen of all fey chickens and is a just and fair lady. To be totally honest she isn’t currently the boss hen, but she’s the boss hen of my heart. Elegant, calm, and thoughtful, she is the first to run over to check on any of the other flock members if they cry out. Queen Mom. The Queen is also one of the first to hop into my lap if I sit nearby, and she settles carefully, crossing her toes neatly, to watch everyone as I pet her.
BUMBLEBEE Bee is the smallest Bielefelder. She was so small when she hatched that we weren’t sure if she’d make it. Then she grew giant wings but her body didn’t keep up for a while, causing her to look like a round bumblebee. Grow she did, into a very intense child. Bee is very intense. She is also very busy. A strange combination of always too busy and distracted to notice things, but way too intense when she does. Somehow, she also has the deepest and loudest voice, despite being a waif, and conjures up a crescendo of bassoon noises for seemingly no reason at times. Bee was once the most snuggly of the group, but now is marching to her own tune and it is a rare treat when she wants pet. If you have ever seen the Nickelodeon show “Pete & Pete”, Bee is the chicken manifestation of Little Pete. Her BFF is Fungus.
FUNGUS When Fungus was a chick, her patterning looked like the beautiful patterns on Turkey-tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor). Fungus is a beautiful name and Fungus is a beautiful hen. Curious and smart in a thoughtful and quiet way, Fungus is often one of the first to check out a new situation or item along with Larkspur, and picked up target training in less than two minutes. She is one of the smaller hens, and has many mannerisms very similar to Bumblebee. While she is not overly cuddly, she loves to be near people, enjoying sitting close to or even on an arm or leg. Her BFF is Bumblebee.
LARKSPUR Lark is a Clever Girl. Smart, curious, bold, and at times a bit obnoxious, she likes to study new things and situations long before the other chickens gather enough courage to draw near. She knows what she wants and will demand it; if she wants to be pet or want attention, she will neatly tug on your pants leg. Not petting her enough? She will grab your fingers. Lark does not know the power of her own beak, and will bite considerably, during her requests and exploration. Ow, Lark, please control your beak. Her honks toot out in cadences that match human speech. Coincidence or not, it feels like you are having a conversation with her when she’s around. Possibly second in command along with Ganymede.
THISTLE Gorgeous, glowing and golden, Thistle is a very lovely lady. Smart but calm and observant, she is a contender for boss hen of the flock. Though she spends less time on the humans than other members of the flock, she is always nearby, watching over things. She is the most calm in the face of the older, grumpier chickens, and will roost next to them in peace, whereas the other Bielefelders will spook away. Cool and collected, Thistle typically only enjoys a brief snuggle before she has to hop down and do a quick patrol.
GANYMEDE Intelligent but mellow, Ganymede is cursed with perpetual Old Woman Face. Despite this, she landed herself near the head of the flock, and seems to be sharing “second in command” with Larkspur. Ganymede is a heat seeking cuddle missile, sometimes to an extreme as she launches up to try to get on someone’s shoulders. Otherwise, she will smoosh her billowing hen bosom against any person nearby and try to shove her head into Cuddle Position (usually an armpit). Like Larkspur, she honks in cadences, often seemingly asking why we aren’t touching her at all times. When she wants attention, she will grab clothing and pull it to her chest and hold it here, like a child.
BRACKEN Pure and innocent, Bracken is a bit of a “redhead”, having a reddish cast to all of her feathers. Perpetually sleepy and sweet, she seemingly hasn’t grown up yet, acting like a chick most of the time and never challenging the others. She will beg for food with sad cheeps, before eating tremendously, and then diving into a lap for whole-body cuddles. It is common for Bracken to press against one’s chest and shove her head into one’s armpit to have a snooze. At meal times, she alone will hop up in the air in excitement. She is always very gentle with people and other chickens. Her BFF is Nutmeg.
NUTMEG Similar to Bracken, but a bit more bold and mature, Nutmeg is quite sweet and gentle, and enjoys snuggling a great deal. She is not always very careful with her beak, and occasionally gets carried away with her nudges for attention. Also like Bracken, she has a bit of a sleepy demeanor to her. Bracken and Nutmeg have been very close since they were infants, and her BFF is still Bracken.
MOOSE Moose is the rooster, the Mooster, the Moos! Silly, awkward, and slightly high energy in the way that all roosters tend to be, Moose is still very sweet and calm for a rooster. His voice went directly from awkward baby honks to a deep, “BOK, BOK, BOK”. Moose is very tall and will be quite large once he is mature (many Bielefelder roosters are over 12lbs!), and is well on his way. He never seems to know how to manage his huge stomping feet, and seems to love showing us his wings whenever he greets us. Despite being a rooster, he’s still a bit nervous around the older chickens, and startles if you touch him and he’s not expecting it. He is very sweet, though, and loves to be hugged and cuddled, often stretching his neck all the way out to rest along one’s arm to nap while being pet. He has started to crow, which is a quiet “aaaaaaaa”. For now.
My beauties in the breeding pen. Daffodil with Bellis, Tulip, and Nightshade. Two more weeks left before I can actually collect eggs to set. Hopefully we finally get a decent batch!
Willy and Banksia went to their new home today! They’re both lovely pullets with very sweet temperaments, but not the quality I want in my program. Went to a pet home where they’ll be well loved!
