ornithology
ornithology on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 7 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on ornithology in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around ornithology, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
It’s not very common for coturnix quail to attempt to sit on eggs
## Unusual Behavior: Coturnix Quail and the Unexpected Sit It’s not very common for coturnix quail to attempt to sit on eggs, making recent observations particularly noteworthy. While most quail exhibit minimal nesting behavior, a sudden urge to incubate can signal various factors, from environmental shifts to a surplus of available nesting material. This behavior deviates from the typical quail lifestyle, prompting a closer look at their surroundings and overall health. Understanding why your quail might be "chickening out" on this unusual endeavor is key to ensuring their well-being. Want to learn more about expanding your flock? Check out our recent post on introducing new members, including adorable Bantam Cochins!
New rooster time
## New Rooster Alert: Buff Orpington to the Rescue! Big news, fellow chicken enthusiasts! After a less-than-ideal relationship with my previous rooster (😬), I’m welcoming a new feathered friend to the flock: a Buff Orpington! Research consistently points to this breed as a calmer, more agreeable option for those of us who prefer not to feel like prey when venturing into the yard. But let's be honest, does *anyone* truly agree with research about rooster temperament? I’m curious – how many of you disagree? Share your experiences in the comments! For those experiencing similar broody behavior, you might find some helpful insights in our recent article, "Nearly all my hens are broody." Let the cluck-tastic rooster adventures begin!
One of my hens has two different colored eyes
## Heterochromia in Chickens: A Cluck-tastic Oddity! Wowza! Check out this egg-citing find from /u/rexallia – a hen with two different colored eyes! This fascinating condition, known as heterochromia, isn't as rare as you might think in the chicken world, and it’s undeniably cute. ☺️ While the exact cause can vary, it simply means the hen's irises developed differently. This isn't the first time we've seen unusual chicken quirks – /u/beroisgreen recently shared a similar observation about their hen’s eye color in relation to their water bucket! Want to delve deeper into understanding your feathered friends' behaviors? Explore our related article, "her greenness is on the water bucket," for more insights. It’s a cluck-tastic reminder that every chicken is wonderfully unique!
How to help her figure out nesting boxes?
## The Case of the Capstone Egg-Layer: Helping a Hen Find Her Nest So, you've got a chicken who's staging an egg-laying rebellion? It’s a cluck-tastic problem, but a cracked egg is *never* ideal! Many keepers encounter a hen who stubbornly prefers a different spot – like those lovely capstone blocks – despite readily available nesting boxes. It's comical, yes, but protecting those precious eggs is key. While some hens eventually come around, a little intervention can help. We'll explore strategies to encourage her nesting box behavior, from subtle nudges to more direct approaches, so you can avoid the heartbreak (and mess!) of cracked eggs. If you're also struggling with rehoming chickens, our article "where can I take chickens I can't raise?
My rooster likes to sing for me
## Morning Serenades from a Feathered Friend! Isn't it cluck-tastic when your chickens bring a little joy to your day? /u/jellyfishs0up recently shared a delightful moment: their rooster singing for them! It’s a reminder of the quirky, often unexpected, brilliance of these feathered friends. We all know chickens can be delightfully weird – sometimes seemingly oblivious, and other times displaying surprising intelligence, as /u/MilesandTiles so aptly put it. Rooster vocalizations are a common topic, and our article, "Skip settles the age old question, "Are Wyandottes noisy"?," dives into the specifics of different breeds and their tendencies. Whether it's a morning serenade or a general chorus, celebrating these moments is all part of the fun of chicken keeping!
Chicken (the pigeon) did NOT want to be involved in today’s egg collection but I can’t let her hatch
Today’s egg collection presented a…spirited disagreement. Chicken, our resident pigeon-hearted hen, made it abundantly clear she had absolutely no desire to participate. Honestly, who can blame her? Wrangling chickens can be a bit of fowl play! But a chicken’s gotta do what a chicken’s gotta do, and I can't let her hatch a plan to avoid duty. It's all part of the cluck-tastic chaos of running Peckington Square Chicken City. If you're curious about how I keep track of which hen is responsible for each egg, you might enjoy our article, "Here’s how I know which chicken laid each egg I collect!" Join us for the 24/7 livestream and see the feathered frenzy for yourself.
Hen or rooster
## Is That a Rooster in Your Silkie Coop? Congratulations on welcoming two Silkie chickens to your flock! It's exciting to embark on this journey, and it sounds like you're already encountering a delightful mystery. Identifying a Silkie rooster can be tricky – they often share many characteristics with their hen counterparts. Subtle differences in comb shape, wattle size, and overall body structure can be clues, but sometimes it just takes time (and a few crowing incidents!). Don't worry about the photo quality; we understand chicken photography can be…challenging! If you're unsure, more images would definitely help. For more on raising chicks, check out our article, "Baby chick help," which offers some handy tips. Let’s get to the bottom of this fowl play!