Chicken? Attwaters vs Downton Abbey

So alike from fluff to feather.

The Attwaters live in the country. The Crawleys’ Downton Abbey is a country estate.

“You’re chicken.”
“I most certainly am not chicken.”
(Downton Abbey season 5/Masterpiece/PBS screenshot. pbs.org)

Both belong to a disappearing class.

They both dress in keeping with their unique lifestyle. Wearing intricate designs.

There’s formal courtship – an elegant dance – done by those looking to partner.

At times the male members puff up with self-importance. Occasionally both may bellow and even stomp their feet to direct attention.

Each group is delighted whenever there’s a fox hunt.

There is a proper way for things to be done.
(Season 5.Downton Abbey/Masterpiece/PBS.org screenshot)

Both have devoted staff.

The young of each are raised in nurseries, carefully coddled, while given training to prepare them for their place in the world.

Yet the Attwaters and those of Downton Abbey all face a changing world and are doing their best to adapt.

Is my feather on straight? This formal dance attire is tedious, but traditions must be upheld.(Male Attwater Prairie Chicken/Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge/crowdrise.com)

And while neither wishes to talk about it, money is a common concern.

Will they be able to hold on to the land?

Will the land produce enough food?

Will the fire ants eat so much of the insects that the little ones starve?

Oh, OK the Crowleys have something other than fire ants eating away at them.

Well now. One does as one must. (Dowager Countess”Downton Abbey”/Masterpiece/pbs.org screenshot)

Although, like the aristocrats, the Attwaters are chicken to ask for help even when in dire need.

• Red Imported Fire Ants have been identified as the greatest threat next to habitat loss to a species that is one of the most endangered birds in North America.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service is using fire-ant bait for ant control on the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, but only part of the 10,000 acres is being treated.
• The Coastal Prairie Partnership and the Friends of the Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge have started a campaign to raise money to treat the rest. (Read more here.) It would also make the hiking trails nicer for visitors, too. End the ouchies!

That better not be a familiar feather in that hat or I’ll grouse about it. (Female Attwater Prairie Chicken/ USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

There is something to grouse about. (Both groups do grouse a bit now and then)

Not long ago there were only 44 birds left(2004) with a mere 1% of their coastal habitat remaining. Breeding programs increased the number to over 100 birds (2011) living wild in the preserve.

NASA’s Johnson Space Center hosts some of the breeding chickens in on their campus.

All eggs go to incubators at the Houston Zoo. Then after the chicks grow a bit, they go into chicken halfway houses to get used to the prairie before being turned loose on the preserve’s prairie.

It’s a good plan. I remember the early attempts.

They brought a batch of young well fed chicks back to the NASA campus and released them with great ceremony. Immediately the local hawks swooped in for lunch.

Things are working much better now.

It’s spring and the chicks of Downton and Attwater are both in fine feather.

Nothing cheap about either crowd.

But you’d expect nothing less from fine old families.

With a wing and a prayer this will be a good season for them both.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Searching for more?

• Friends of the Attwater Prairie Chicken Wildlife Refuge. (VIDEOS, photos, info)
• Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. (WIKI)

“I am totally confused as to why anyone would think we have anything at all in common. And I’m not grousing. (Dowager Countess”Downton Abbey”season 4/Masterpiece/PBS.org screenshot)

 

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