Photo by Audrey Pavia
Mr. Mabel tempts face as he loiters dangerously airless to Milagro ’s hooves .
I ’m not one of these people who assume chickens are stupid . I know they have that reputation , but I think they are really moderately fresh . They learn quickly , have a surprising mental ability to think matter out and are very good at recognise item-by-item people . But sometimes my chickens do things that make me read how this specie gained a reputation for being obtuse .
Take yesterday , for exemplar . I hadMilagrotied to the hitching post while I was grooming him . Mr. Mabelwas fall around , as common , begging me for food . The other chickens were loaf around too , but Mr. Mabel , as always , was in the forefront , demanding I give him something to eat .
I push aside him as I brushed out Milagro ’s slough winter pelage , until I view him getting closer and close to Milagro ’s proper hind wooden leg . I stopped what I was doing to watch what could only be described as suicidal behaviour . Mr. Mabel was inching closer and nigher to Milagro ’s hoof .
It seems Mr. Mabel had spied something that looked comestible on Milagro ’s back heel . He was honed in on it , his head cocked to the side as he set about . Before I could move toward him to shoo away him off , he took at peck at Milagro ’s heel . At that moment , I expect to see Mr. Mabel go sailing through the air . I shrink , thinking this would probably the end of my dominating rooster .
But Milagro has mellowed in his middle age , and did n’t react at all . The horse I knew a few years ago would have beam that wench vanish . But this kinder , gentler Milagro just picked up his ft reflexivly , and then rig it back down .
I was stupefied . I once watch Milagro plant a unwavering kick on the look of a escaped frankfurter that got too near to his heels out on the trail . But my horse cavalry is a smarty , and he no doubt knew this goosey cock was not a scourge , but just a balmy annoyance .
Of naturally Mr. Mabel had no idea how close to decease he had just come . He was prepare to peck at Milagro once again when I step in and break up the scene . Milagro was generous the first time around , but I was n’t sure his patience would last .
I herded Mr. Mabel off , but he presently occur back around . He ’d drop off interest in Milagro ’s heel , and was now just pecking around on the ground close by .
Milagro did n’t seem to handle . Although I was nervous that my rooster was within kicking range , it seemed the two of them had some sort of understanding . I really did n’t need to intercede .
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