That's a great story.

Recently, I hatched three Light Sussex chickens. I've got more than a dozen varieties, but I've never seen a chicken as curious and friendly as this breed. They will walk right up to you and seem to enjoy being petted. Weird for a chicken, but fun to have around.

Ruthieg,
Really enjoyed your observations.
What breed is Gladys Knight? Bantam or std? How old was she when you first noted her 'independence?'

Finally have time to actually sit and watch my new chicks. Next year, want to get several breeds and watch their interactions. One on my wish list is the Sussex.

Just now have the SR cornish cross separated from all cockerels Buff Os. The Buffs surprised me by playing "put up your dukes" at three days of age. The cornish cross are too lazy-so far- to show dominance.

Think I'll start a notebook on their behaviors.
cella jane

One of our daughter's chickens is like that, too. She calls her cloudy - She's a little white auracana, and she'll hop out in front of the kids or me sometimes and squat down with her wings slightly out. The kids call this "in position" and it means she wants to be picked up and cuddled. She also comes up on the porch and peeks in the windows when she wants to talk to us. We just love them.

We have 2 b&w laced Wyandottes now, too, both about 5 months old. They remind me of the dancing ostriches in Fantasia the way they gallop across the yard in tandem trying to scare up bugs.

What exactly do you clip to keep them from flying? You just have to get a few feathers from the inside of one wing, right?