Wijamba
A bronze pouch with elegance
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The previous owners found Wijamba, a 1.5-year-old bronze mare. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stay. Living together with the other animals didn’t quite work out, and an extra pen for Wijamba was unfortunately not possible.For a few months now, Wijamba has been feeling quite at home in the flock of chickens at Gut Aiderbichl’s Köglerhof – Wijamba seems to be happy.
Interesting facts about the bronze sceptre
The turkey originally comes from North and Central America. It was domesticated by the Indians in 500 BC. The peoples used turkey bones as tools and even as headdresses for chiefs. In 1533, Spanish sailors brought the turkey to German-speaking countries.The plumage of the bronze turkey is black with a bronze sheen that shimmers in all the colours of the rainbow. The skin on the head is alternately blue, white and red with thick flesh warts. When the turkey gets angry, the warts turn purple in colour. Some people might think that this skin is unattractive – nature finds it beautiful.Unfortunately, bronze turkeys are threatened with extinction. In 1997, there were only 334 breeding animals, but to date the breeding population has returned to 800 animals.
What does Wijamba feed on?
It loves fruit, grasses and leaves, but also insects, snails and many other small animals. In terms of health, animals like Wijambafeel very vital, weather – whatever it may be – doesn’t bother them, Wijambaproves the ability to fly, is unassuming and currently harbours motherly feelings for the chickens at Köglerhof.
Wijamba flirts with Franzl
Franzl is a so-called Narragansett turkey and is descended from the American wild turkey. Narragansett refers to the region in which the breed was bred: the Narragansett Bay.
The Narragansett turkey is a black, white, grey and light brown turkey, similar to the bronze turkey. The copper-bronze parts of the bronze turkey are steel-grey or black in the Narragansett turkey. The beak is horn-coloured, the head is red to bluish white and the beard, a tuft of elongated breast feathers, is black.Franzl runs with the cockerels and Wijamba with the hens. Socialisation will take place after vaccination and a thorough medical examination. Markus Leitner, manager of the Köglerhof Gut Aiderbichl in Carinthia, says: “Wijamba arrived here and got on well with the chickens straight away. They spend the whole day walking around the farm in a group – without any problems. Franzl and Wijamba will be socialised after the veterinary examinations, I don’t think there will be any difficulties or even fights. They are two really beautiful animals – Wijamba is also very proud and self-confident … and Franzl probably knows that he’s a handsome chap!”.
If someone thinks a turkey is not elegant and noble:
I have never found love for people where there was no love for animals. Anyone who truly respects life also respects the animal, because life was given to both of us by God.
~ Prof. Konrad Lorenz
Sincerely,
Your Gisela
