Escape of the Green Jungle Fowl

Wow! today my "park attendant" (this nick name got a long story behind it) forgot to close the door of the aviary housing my Green Jungle Fowl. Piecing together, this is what might have happened. After escaping, the GJF was a bit frightened and tried to get back into the aviary. My "park attendant" must have panicked and tried to help. Seeing her approaching, the GJF also panicked and flew to the roof of my house. Seeing all the action, the free roaming Red Jungle Fowl (female feathered) must have chased after him (being territorial and all).

When I got back, the RJF was proudly perched on the roof top with no GJF in sight. Rest of the day was spent catching the RJF to be caged so that in case the GJF chooses to return, he won't be chased away again. Chances are quite slim as the GJF is a bit jumpy and easily scared. So, all human actibvities might have driven him further and further away.

Here is hoping that he can find his way back. If not, hopefully he will produce some Bekisar in the wild hahahaha!

Update: no sign of the GJF this morning (11th Aug). Looks like I have to wish him bon-voyage ;)

Red Jungle Fowl

I have often heard of the wild nature of the original Red Jungle Fowl. About how despite caring for them from day 1, they still retain their wild nature. Yesterday, I had a first hand experience witnessing how wild they are. I kept 2 females from young (from eggs actually - taken probably at day 2). These 2 young chickens are kept initially with a lighted bulb in an acrylic aquarium in my living room. That is to show how much exposure they have to humans.

When they are bigger, they were moved into a cage outdoor and subsequently, 1 was given away to a friend who says he wanted to breed these RJFs. I retained 1 and eventually kept for some time with my male Green Jungle Fowl. After getting my female feathered RJF cock (not ori) and seeing him come of age, I decided to release the ori female RJF to roam free with the RJF cock.

It happened yesterday, I opened the door of the aviary and the female came reluctantly out, took about 1 second to assimilate herself and took flying off. She flew above my neighbours' roof (2 storeys) until she disappeared out of sight. Didn't see hwr for the entire day after that. Thought she was gone forever.

Then this evening, saw her foraging for food near my house. A friend told me she would probably loiter around for a week or so before disappearing for good. Well, it would be interesting to see if the prediction is accurate.

Female RJF foraging on the ground:



The feature is more pheasant like with small drooping tail. If she can mate with the female feathered RJF, then their chicks could be something worth raising ;)

Male Chicken with female colouring

The above are pictures of the latest addition to my flock of chickens.
The earlier 4 Red Jungle Fowl (RJF) babies are quite big already and I think is of suitable age to be released in the jungle. They are on the tame side though, so unlike my Green Jungle Fowl.

Anyway, back to the above chicken, ah! this is one that I could keep with peace of mind as it does not resemble the RJF, so there is no issue of keeping protested animals involved. At least I do not have to argue that it is not the original, one look and they will know for sure. Rumours has it that some of these female feathered chickens could make very good "pikat" to catch the wild chickens. There could possibly be some logic to it as the wild chickens will tend to be less intimidated by a female looking chicken but at the same time agitated by its male crowing sound. Maybe they would find that irresistible to explore ;)

Don't know what to do with him at the moment. Just let him roam free until the neighbours complain I suppose hehehe!

Ayam Bekisar Project

Added this new juvenile Red Jungle Fowl hen to the chicken coup. Additional potential bride for the Green Jungle Fowl. Lost track of her age. Been keeping since she was a few days old.




The handsome Green Jungle Fowl:




Second attempt at incubating by this Red Jungle Fowl hen. Sitting on 4 eggs. Joke is I lost track how long already hahahaha!

RJF chick

Today 5th August 2008, the first RJF chick hatched.
Placed him in a 1.5 ft acrylic aquarium with candle light as a source of heat. Later in the evening, the candle was replaced with a 5W bulb.

Incubating RJF eggs

Started incubating 5 eggs from the Red Junglefowl on 13th July 2008 using a home made incubator.

Appreciating the Red Jungle Fowl

Well, I do not know how to appreciate the beauty of the Red Jungle Fowl. The feathers, colouration, voice etc. etc., but I am learning and in due time when I get to compare more specimens, probably I could get better at it. Anyway, as a start, the fluffy soft feathers (bulu kapas) at the rump is a desirable trait ;)

Making of a Chicken Coop 2

These Red Jungle Fowl roosts on tree tops in the wild. So I have decided to add in a perch for them to feel more at home. They took to it immediately. Perch was given by Lawrence, a 7.5 feet long stick with nice texture. Planned to use it for the breeding pair of Shamas but decided against it as I do not want to disturb them. What with good signs that they have been paired nicely.

Finally decided to have a temporary roof of a simple plywood. Of course it wouldn't last in our weather, but it should serve its purpose for the time being.

Making of a Chicken Coop 1

Well, chickens are not meant to be kept in rabbit cages. So, with that in mind, I began a quest to build a larger cage (should call it chicken coop). Took me a couple of weeks to get it all together. From visioning in mind where on earth to put it down to getting to the hardware store to buy the materials and then finally to stitch the pieces together. Hope it can last for a couple of years.

The above pic is of the pair of Red Jungle Fowl testing out their new house this morning. No roof yet. Haven't figure out how I want it done ;)

Protecting Indigenous Animals

Today’s paper (The Star) has a very interesting article on the Korean Jindo Dog. It originates from the Island of Jindo in South Korea. Since 1962, the Jindo has been designated as a National Monument. Its exportation is prohibited and there is a national effort to preserve its purity from the danger of cross breeding. Looks like we have a lot to learn eh? Now its 2008 and what have we (Malaysia) done for our indigenous breed of animals?

If you are wondering why I am going off topic in a blog dedicated to birds by writing about dogs, well, its my blog and I will do as I please hehehehe! Anyway, its really related. This is something we should be doing for the Red Jungle Fowl.

An animal closer to the topic involved would be the Telomian Dog. Discovered in 1963 by Dr. Orville Elliot, living among the aborigines in the jungles of Malaysia. It is named after the Telom River, near where it was discovered. In the U.S. there is already a Telomian Dog Club and all Telomians there has their roots traced to only 2 pairs exported to U.S. years ago.

In its country of origin, Malaysia, the Telomians are relatively unknown. Most people would prefer the imported dogs like the Shih Tzu, Rottweilers, Snauzers and gosh! Some even go for Huskies – in tropical Malaysia, poor dogs! I myself keeps a pair of “American Pitbull Terriers” (which themselves has a history that reads like a novel) and maybe when the time comes for them to be reincarnated, I may consider the Telomians. If I can find one.

Would the Telomians go the way of the Dodo birds? Maybe, maybe not – we can’t lose something we do not know we have ;).

Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Sigh!..... I am cursed.

The Telomian Dog:

The Red Jungle Fowl

New addition to the family for the past week. A gift from a friend. The Red Jungle Fowl. Its a protected species, cannot keep in captivity but can shoot and eat ;) ..... ??? what logic? if its a protected species then, it should be treated like a protected species. Anyway the pair I have has been crossed with our local chicken and thus, it is not considered the Red Jungle Fowl..... so can keep ;)

Been reading a bit on it and will continue to research on these wonderful chicken. So far, there are indications that the real Red Jungle Fowl in Malaysia has been long extinct. The authorities should let us just keep and breed the pure true Red Jungle Fowl to stop the genetic watering down with our domestic chicken. Hmmmm.......

The pair is a juvenile. The cock has just started to crow and the back toe nails is just about to grow (just a pimple size as shown on photo).