Interbreed Affection

I had to cull the new hen Mrs Muir today. She was off her legs and could no longer walk, so it was a kindness. After I had " done the deed" I sat on the grass reading the news on my Ipad when Max the new cockerel trotted up.
There was method in his madness for the bad tempered  field cockerel Moriarty was around, but he surprised me by literally sitting in my lap and letting me rub his head gently.
After a few minutes , I recorded his tame and needy behaviour and if you look closely you can see him closing his eyes in happy bliss
It's a while since I have had a hen so naturally tame....
Funny how some animals cross the line isn't it?

Anyhow as for other  love ins between species
Here is a minute " lurve in " between Winnie & Albert this afternoon
This behaviour is a daily occurrence

38 comments:

  1. Glad to see everyone is happy with one another. Have a lovely holiday weekend.

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  2. How I love interspecies love.

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  3. I've had several affectionate chickens, it does feel a bit odd though. Yep, Winnie and Albert are Bosom buddies.

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  4. all creatures great and small need luv.

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  5. Sorry about Mrs Muir ... a difficult thing to do even when it's necessary.

    Interesting to see Max come to you for affection and protection. And lovely to see Winnie and Albert so affectionate with each other.

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  6. That is ever so sweet! Warms my heart to see.

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  7. Oh this is so sweet! How cute that cockerel is.

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  8. Is that your knitting bag?

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    Replies
    1. You interchange roles?

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    2. I think Rachel means sometimes you have the role of the homemaker while the Prof brings home the bacon but on seeing his knitting kit, is wondering whether you switch roles. Thankfully, it's an age-old myth that knitting's just for little old grannies and 'housewifey' types.

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    3. Thank you NG-G, I lacked the strength to explain myself.

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    4. Thank you both for bothering in the first place

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  9. Wonderful videos.

    Have a great weekend.

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  10. Anonymous6:07 pm

    It never occurred to me chickens could be affectionate! And here I am completely unable to get my dogs and cat to be in the same room without trying to kill each other :(

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  11. poor Mrs Muir :(

    I wonder if Winnie thinks Albert is her puppy?

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  12. Why do you think they have struck up this relationship, I remember Albert giving Winnie a bitch slap not so long ago.

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    Replies
    1. I have no idea...one day a good few months ago, i found Albert playing with winnie, from then on they have been inseparable

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    2. One worries about what Winnie may try to do to Albert when she's in the mood, but I suppose he has claws and fast legs.

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  13. awww so lovely. This is one reason I love animals more than people lately.
    Sad about Mrs, Muir.
    Bless The Beasts and The Children.

    cheers, parsnip

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  14. Must be contagious, John. How nice.

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  15. Scotch eggs on BBC right now!!!

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    Replies
    1. I know. Mary Berry the queen of baby scotch eggs!

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  16. Anonymous7:27 pm

    How wonderful to have a moment like that with Max. In a world of insanity, it's this sort of thing that makes life worth living.

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  17. After seeing that display of affection, I won't be eating at KFC for a long time.

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  18. many of my coworkers have chickens...one has three little daughters who carry the chickens around as if they are dolls...expect to see them dressed any day now...love Winnie and Albert...

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  19. You exemplify interspecies affection yourself.
    Don't think I have ever seen a more leffargic love-in than Winnie and Albert though...

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    Replies
    1. They do chase each other around the house, but for the post part they just touch each other s lowly

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  20. Poor Mrs Muir but it is about quality of life and I know you have a gentle method to do this . Lovely videos of Max , Winnie and Albert. Have a lovely weekend . John have you lost a few pounds ? You are looking quite slender .

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  21. Anonymous11:29 pm

    Funny bird.

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  22. Happy trails little hen! Yes it is definitely partly how they are born. I had two raised by the same hen, same breed. One was feral as, the wildest hen I ever had and the other was one of the tamest. They had the same raising and handling. Max sounds like a sweety.

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  23. Do I hear Albert purring? I would like to have a reason to close my eyes in happy bliss.

    Love,
    Janie

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  24. Our 'Richard' thinks she's a house pet. She's certainly more affectionate than the cat!

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  25. I think YOU are one of the most convincing examples of interspecies love, John.

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  26. What the world needs now is love, sweet love.....

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  27. That was a lovely peaceful minute watching Albert and Winnie, lovely thank you. Now it's back to planting in the polytunnel .... bye xx

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  28. Bless their furry little hearts.

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