Noodles - The Standard of Perfection

Noodles is a big beautiful Buff Orpington. She really is a very pretty chicken, to my eye at least. It seems her golden feathers always lay just right and her bum feathers always fluffy and clean. Her comb is bright red. When I first picked Noodles up after I took her in (soup pot rescue), I was amazed at how heavy she was. I guess I assumed she'd be light because of all the feathers. But there's a lot of bird under those feathers!

My husband and I watched a funny documentary last year called "Chicken People." I highly recommend it. The film follows a handful of people as they prepare and compete in the chicken show of all chicken shows! What I learned in the film is that there are very specific characteristics of each chicken breed/variety that define "The Standard of Perfection" - what each of these hobby competitors is after. So my husband I joke that Noodles our Standard of Perfection. 

I've always loved animals, but never did I think I'd be a nutty "chicken person." But here I am. No, I'll never be a breeder of show chickens, but I have grown my awareness and appreciation of chickens as pets. Like dogs and cats, each one has their own personality and quirks. Each one is loved and part of our family.

My relationship with Noodles has evolved in the last couple years. She's like a trustworthy girlfriend. As I weed the flowerbeds, she follows me and gets very close to my head and says, "Bur, bur, burp... burp, bur." And I answer back, telling her whatever is on my mind and she kindly acts interested and carries on our conversation, "Bur, bur..."

Noodles is a benevolent Queen, she generously shares treats with the princess chickies, but will put them in their place if they get out of line. At 6 or 7 years old, her laying days are long gone, hence the reason the previous owners were getting rid of her. Knowing Noodles like I do now, the thought of giving her up is inconceivable - she's amazing in her own right and we love her.