Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[ChickenPoopGarden]

Ok, so yesterday I was sitting with the Chickie-doos and grabbing the occasional tickle as they wandered past. Marshmallow, the white silkie always squats down when I touch her (I'm pretty sure that's a breeding thing, because she pokes her vent out if I scratch her back end, the dirty wench) but the others aren't so keen. I did manage to catch a hold of my Colombian Blacktail, Splash, so I brought her close for a stroke.

She was still standing on the ground, but I had one hand in front of her chest and was stroking her with the other. The Pompom, the tiny buff silkie, came straight over and started pecking Splash with real malice! i couldn't believe it! I shooed her off but, she was too intent on battering Splash so I let her go so that she could escape.

Couldn't believe it! They have been a flock since the end of September without any trouble and Pompom is the little one I had to isolate for a few days because she got ill and weak.

Is it possible that she could be the boss over a big chicken like Splash? She wasn't bullying any other chicken, but she continued to threaten Spalsh after I had let her go.

I actually wondered if Pompom might be a cockerel? Grabbed her and turned her over to look at her legs and I saw a couple of tiny spur-bumps developing but after googling it I realise this could be something or nothing. Pompom also NEVER does the squatting down when I stroke her.

What do you think? Have I got a bossy bantam? is Pompom a boy?

[Cat tails]

Squatting is doing their hen/rooster business... In absence of a rooster, they will squat for humans. 2 of my 3 squat, but only when laying.

 

When you are holding the Blacktail, your silkie might see her as weak and weak animals are a danger to the flock.

[ChickenPoopGarden]

Still, all the other girls were milling around, happy as can be... only little Pompom took a scunner to her. and she didnt mind me tickling Marshmallow...

[Cat tails]

Maybe Splash is right above Pompom in the pecking order and Marshmallow might be even higher up.

Pompom is just maybe grabbing her chance to get a bit higher up.