How to Deal with Aggressive Roosters
May 6, 2013Our rooster all of sudden turned on us and keeps going after us every chance he gets. He was never this way before. How come? —Gayle
Giving-Up a Rooster
October 15, 2012Photo by Audrey Pavia It’s time to give one of my new roosters, Henryfonda, away. When one of my hens hatched three chicks several months ago, despite the odds, I had fingers crossed they’d all be hens. I ended up with two roosters and only one hen. When I first got chickens, I wanted just […]
Stephanie vs. Mr. Mabel
May 16, 2011Photo by Audrey Pavia My friend, Stephanie, and my rooster, Mr. Mabel, have a stormy relationship. Early last week, I got an email from my old friend, Stephanie, who lives in Pittsburgh. Her planned trip to Russia fell through, and she asked if she could come stay with me this week. I was thrilled—I hadn’t […]
Baby Jo: Baby No More
April 4, 2011I remember the first time I saw her. She was a little gray ball of fuzz, no bigger than a mouse.
Sounds of the Urban Farm
February 28, 2011I have the benefits of city life alongside those of the barnyard.
Back to the Flock
November 29, 2010It wasn’t easy getting Bobbi Jo over her bout with fowl pox. Unlike her niece, Baby Jo, it took her more than a week before I felt she was well enough to return to the flock.
Searching for Gwennyth
October 11, 2010Photo by Audrey Pavia Gwennyth is off sitting on eggs somewhere. Gwennyth was our first hen. We actually thought we had gotten three hens, but it turned out two of them were roosters. Gwenny was our only girl. The tamest of all our chickens, Gwennyth is special. She doesn’t look like the other hens, all of […]
Rooster Chivalry
September 27, 2010Courtesy Audrey Pavia Mr. Mabel the rooster escorts one of his hens around the urban farm. Whoever said chivalry is dead never spent any time around roosters. Sometimes I just can’t get over how gracious and doting roosters are with their hens. At my urban farm, Mr. Mabel is the top roo (beating out his […]
