5 Comments
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Neural Foundry's avatar

Really thoughtfull approach to flock management. The slow integration between Muffoletto and Splat shows how much difference patience makes, most people would've just tossed them together and hoped for the best. Watched a neighbor lose two hens last year because they rushed reintroduction after an injury, the flock just demolished them. The detail about Muff roosting below Splat and respecting her boundries says a lot about reading individual animal behavior instead of just following ratios.

David Krause's avatar

If you spend enough time with animals and actually pay attention, you realize quickly that a one-size-fits-all approach never really works. Chickens are far more complex than society tends to give them credit for.

Sutapa Chattopadhyay's avatar

The social hierarchy is very reminiscent of how other groups of animals behave! It’s very interesting the lengths you have to go to, in order for them to be healthy!

David Krause's avatar

It makes me reflect on how large-scale commercial egg and meat operations often lack the time and resources to ensure their birds are healthy and living lives closer to what would be natural for them.

Sutapa Chattopadhyay's avatar

Absolutely. The large-scale commercial egg operations are cruel to the birds. Downright cruel.