Every time I am trying to "cartoonify" real life and the animal world, I am being reminded that life isn't like in a Walt Disney movie, and while not fully evil, some animals just don't give a fuck about anyone's feelings.
Take for example our rooster Mickael Jackson a.k.a MJ. He likes do be rough with the girls, and in a weird and complex ballet of interests given to each others, they seem to somewhat accept that this young cock doesn't know how to be gentle with them, and somehow it seems to work.
While mating with them, he likes to pick the back of their head, I had to admit that more than once I wanted to just grab him by the neck and make a "Coq au Vin", but I've been told that it's typical normal behaviour for a young rooster.
I still researched online, and it's apparently not true at all, there are some good cocks out there, who treat the hens with respect, and even court them gently. Still, I am not for exterminating a soul just because no one told him how to behave, so I decided few weeks back to "correct" his attitude, and see if there were a change. Every time he is acting rough, I just chase him and shout at him, staring straight into his soul.
We have seen some improvement, he also seems to have good sides, he protects them, make sure they eat, that they have a place to nest, and even make sure that none of them are missing. When it's time for "getting some action", he sometimes even make a little sideway dance, and deploy one wing, just to put them in the mood.
He always had a good relationship with Ninja. She was the prettiest of the flock after all, and started laying eggs before all the others.
There has always been a weird sense a jealousy because of this, whereas Ninja has always been confident, calm, collected, and strong minded.
Lately, during one of their mating session, she got injured by MJ. It didn't take long before the entire flock, the rooster included, started bullying her, excited by the taste of blood.
In a few days, I did not see the intricacies of the hierarchy in the den, but bloodthirsty creatures that will not hesitate to kill each others if the time comes.
Eventually, the back of her head looked nasty and was profusely bleeding. Her attitude completely changed ,and she spent her day running a way from the flock. She waited for everyone to finish eating before coming out of her hiding spot, and even the least confident hens of the flock started picking on her.
A
Fall
From
Grace
It was time to act...
Day 1
The first day and a half, were quite tough for her. she was pretty banged up, and lost some weight since she couldn't really have a moment of peace and quiet to eat. So we used the travel crate from the dogs, and made her a private space where she can heal in her own time.
After a full meal, she already looked so much better, and her attitude changed already. She was still very weary, and all the bare necks were very distrustful from humans, as they come from a slaughterhouse.
Day 2
We took a closer look to her head, making sure the healing process started. What is important now, is to keep her away from the flock, up until she is fully healed. It was a mission just to grab her, she doesn't like to be handled at all, and oh snap! She can run! 🤣
Day 3
The next day, I tried a different technique, by luring her inside the box, but it didn't work, I had to run after her again (no footage available)
Day 4
Ninja is way more relaxed around me, I think she understands now that I am just trying to help. Every morning, and every night, I give her an hour alone.
It means that I need to get her out first for an hour, then back in. She spends the day in there, and finally when the others got to bed, it's time for her to go out and pick the rocks and stuffs she needs to digest.
It would really help if she let me guide her, so I am getting food for gaining her trust.
Day 5 and 6
These 2 days were pretty uneventful, she does look like she recognizes me more, and isn't too bothered by me if I stay around.
I try to explain to her what's going on, and I think she understands something hahaha 😂. She still has a glance which looks like "what are you looking at?", she also stopped to panic when she hears Charlie our half sheep dog.
Charlie took the habit to nip her in the butt, when it's time to go inside the cage. It's so bothersome, that I don't keep Charlie around when it's time to catch her.
Speaking of which, I don't need to catch her anymore, she comes when we call her, and understand on her own when it's time to get inside the cage. Conditioning works as well as on humans ^^
Day 7
We have a routine now, I am making sure she avoids the rest of the flock, I don't need to run, nor shout, there is a silent understand between us, she knows my purpose and I understand hers. Her walk seems to be different, she is more assertive, and soon is ready to be free again. Even for such a small brain, I don't think being on lockdown is a pleasant experience.
The rest of the flock barely noticed that she is gone, most of them were jealous of her in the first place, so I am not surprised. Little do they know that Ninja is preparing her come back...
Day 8
We still will have to wait few days before reintroducing her to the rest of the flock. I want to make sure that she is strong, and most importantly, no apparent scabs, because it will excite the others, chicken are as nasty as raptors!!!
This is her, this morning, she seems so relaxed, not the same hen from "Day 1"
I think there is now a special bond between Ninja and I, and she showed me how much we can learn about resilience from a chicken. I've also learnt a lot on how to observe the animals, their attitude sometimes tells you a lot about their condition.
