I wish I knew what this odd iris is -- a bearded iris? It has the right form -- the three upright standards and the three falls. But it's much smaller than other bearded irises and has, somehow, a more primitive look to it. Does anyone have a clue?
And here are the mommas and babies. If you click on the picture, it will take you to a web album where it will be a little video of them all bustling about.
This is the story: Justin and Claui have four banty hens in their chicken tractor. One of the girls decided she wanted to be a mother and began brooding a clutch of eggs. But, as there is no rooster in with these girls, her brooding was doomed to failure.
So Justin took four eggs from our Ameracuanas -- who share their coop with a fine Buff Orpington rooster that delights in making sure that their eggs are fertile -- and put them under the broody hen.
Twenty-one days later, three eggs hatched and she was a mama. But the other three hens, several of which had tried to sit on the eggs too, were pretty sure that they were mamas too.
At this point, Justin and Claui can no longer be sure which hen was the original broody. The bantys seem happy to share the chicks. And the chicks always have a mama handy to hide under.
21 comments:
Your mystery Iris looks remarkably like one that my mum has in her garden.
Those banty hens have the right spirit to start a commune.
Wow. They look very pretty. I was looking at the second one but couldn't figure it out. Smiles:)
The Iris you can't identify is like the ones my mom had also ... several dozen of them in one area along the house. I can't identify them either ... sorry.
The mama's and babies video is too cute.
nice iris'...and even the snake...hada run in with a 4 foot black snake the other day, but moved him along...
Those little chicks are just too sweet!!
Proof positive that it does indeed take a village. What a charming story and video.
You like the word "ribbon", don't you ?
Beautiful iris, very strange...
doesn't you ?
Your strange iris seems to be born half from an iris and half from a common fox glove, or a tiger lily !
I'm not sure what it is-but I have them growing in my yard-passed along by either Granny or an Aunt.
Having a Momma to hide under-is always a good thing : )
Obviously from the other comments, your Iris is an oldie but goodie.
We had a run in with a baby Hog Nose (spread head) snake the other day. I so wish I had my video camera with me. He was curled up, not moving. Jim poked him with a stick and said, "he's stuffed with something he ate". About that time the snake's mouth came open and a 2 inch frog came hopping out of his throat. OMG. I about freaked!
cergipontin.blogspot.com/
Why did I change my first sentence? I fear my brain is melting to day ...A very hot day !
Martin and Pat and Tipper -- I got this iris from a friend who got it years ago from a neighbor. I'm thinking it's an older variety.
Miss Yves -- I used the word 'ribbon' just yesterday, didn't I? But it seemed perfect to describe the garter snake -- after all, I think the original garters were ribbons.
('don't you' is correct!)
The iris is striped like a tiger, that's for sure . . .
Deanna - I'll bet the little frog was glad you all came along!
You iris is very pretty – they look romantic to me and a little bit vintage. Can you grow them in the shade? I’d like to try to grow some next year. Do you get them started by buying bulbs in the fall? Your little chicks are precious.
Those hens and chicks are a delight!
The Iris is beautiful. Reminds me the Iris Festival in San Polo in Chianti, Tuscany, were they grow wild.
Word veri:
gulblito
Do they want me to fall of my chair while typing?
Oh well, didn't even make it.
Not there is watteda. Like, watteda that?
What a sweet story about the hens!!Love the pictures!!
Well, sorry but I'm no help on the Iris...
The hen and chicks are adorable. And that little garter snake is beautiful!
the iris are just beautiful, especially with the raindrops
I've had siberian, not bearded iris reproduce from seed, and the offspring blossoms are a lighter, skinnier hybrid. Interesting stuff. your snake is adorable and chickens made my morning.
Vagabonde -- Bearded Iris like these grow from rhizomes --which look like the fresh ginger root one sees at the grocery store. You can plant them spring, summer, or fall. But they must have at least a half day of sun. All day sun is best. They also like a well-drained location.
There are lots of on line sources or you can probably find potted and blooming iris in your local nursery -- and they can advise you as to which types do best in your area.
Merisi -- that sounds like my kind of festival!
No idea about the iris, but let me say it is just perfectly beautiful. Lovely video.
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