Archie

Archie is the proud stud in a harem of chickens belonging to my friends and neighbours Chris and Fran.

The whole lot are adventurous. They love to roam round the village, and are testing the driving skills of locals and visitors alike. They seem to like being on the road, and are not at all phased by approaching vehicles. More than one driver has had to get out the car and chase them off.

They seem to like the entrance to my garden, and are slowly but surely demolishing the garden rubbish which was put out there in the autumn.

This is Archie in mid-preen. I'm sure that Jake Thackray had some bird like Archie in mind when he wrote "The Bantam Cock".

(I was disappointed not to find a video link for you of the great man himself singing it. Just dreadful take-offs by various people such as Jasper Carrot.)