Introducing Ms. Calliope

Introducing Ms. Calliope, Muse of Communication Research. Ms. Calliope is a retired hen of 6 years of age, retired from egg laying, chick rearing, and behavioural research. She has done her fair share of observing and picking out favorite cocks (a hard job), being filmed and observed by multiple cameras, voice recorded and countless hours of being watched. She is happy to retire to Shady Villa nestled among the parks.

She enjoys sleeping on the fridge or any perch of her choosing at night (she chooses her roost, and I bring her box). She likes to eat corn, apples, and mixed seeds. She likes to sit on feet. nestle on laps and talk quietly in soft cluck clucks. She is happy to gain a little weight, which I believe she needs.

Calliope has become bashful in her old age, and is easily bullied by other chickens. That is why she has been given a retirement away from the colony. She tried living with a social group in Aviary 8, but became so scared of chasing and pecks that she hid away from the group. One day she came running and hid her head under a tree root, and that was that, she had to be taken inside. I decided then that when she had finished her medical clearance with the vet, that she would come home with me. Calliope was supposed to come home with another hen, but she always loses the dominance games and then the other hens that are available for retirement won't stop pecking her, and Calliope, peaceful and shy, cries in the corner. So, Calliope, has chosen to keep a human as her flock. That is for now, I do want to try finding her a friend, but need to find a docile timid hen.

Welcome to Calliope, my little ray of sunshine.