A group photo of a mixed bag of chickens, guarded by a wary rooster named Maynard, won the USDA sponsored Cutest Bird Photo Contest for March. Tammy Searles of Rindge, New Hampshire submitted the photo, which won in the category of “Cutest Bird Family.”
“This was my ‘glorious barnyard mix’ of 30 free range chickens,” Searles said. “I incubated and raised them myself and they always gathered round whenever I came out of the house.”
The flock includes Golden Range Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and Araucas. The photo was taken in Clinton, Maine where Searles lived at the time.
She has since moved to Rindge where her neighbors are closer, but she still maintains a smaller flock of 12 coop chickens.The photo is featured on the Biosecurity for Birds website http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov and on campaign ‘spokesbird’ Healthy Harry’s Facebook page.
Searles, 43, said she grew up on a farm where there were always chickens. “I think my parents, who still live in Aroostook County are proud that I’ve carried on the tradition,” she notes.
Searles learned about the contest on the Facebook page maintained by campaign spokesman Andy Schneider (AKA ‘The Chicken Whisperer’). She often visits the page to learn more about keeping her birds healthy.
“I make sure that my birds receive antibiotics for Marek’s disease as soon as they are hatched,” she notes, “and I’m careful that they get the right mix of feed.”
The Cutest Bird Photo Contest ran December through March. The winners are considered for inclusion on the 2015 Biosecurity For Birds Calendar.