Adderfowl

Adderhfowl are a type of domesticated fowl usually cared for by Hags and other citizens of The Gates. They are kept for their eggs (and sometimes their flesh), and it would seem that a pair escaped a nearby farm to make a nest near where the Spiritual Travelers were building their base. It's also possible that they are just a pair of wild adderhens. Their origin has yet to be investigated. Either way, the group first encountered this species in the afternoon of Nurend 05, 308 while Frode was on watch. The Spiritual Travelers ended up consuming their eggs for breakfast and keeping the pair of adderfowl for future generations of eggs and domestication. The Writer mentioned adderhens while staying with the old woman on Nurend 13, 258 and noted them in his bestiary (Adderhen, Catoblepas, Zodiaptera).

Basic Information

Anatomy

Adderfowl have the body and legs of a chicken complete with off-white plumage, wings, and amber colored legs. Their morphology differs from chickens, however, in that they have rather long necks and tails which are also covered in snake scales. The pair that the Spiritual Travelers discovered had scales with all sorts of different red colors. At the end of their long snake-like necks is a head which looks identical to a chicken's.

Genetics and Reproduction

Much like chickens, adderhens lay eggs. These eggs can then be fertilized by a nearby Adderooster (male adderfowl). The fertilized eggs eventually develop into future generations of adderfowl. Each egg takes about three weeks to a month to hatch if fertilized.

Growth Rate & Stages

Adderfowl usually reach maturity after about eighteen weeks. They first hatch from their eggs looking similar to a regular chick, though as they age their necks and tails elongate, grow scales and become more prehensile.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Like chickens, Adderfowl live off of a diet mostly consisting of grains and certain fruits and vegetables. Good choices include leafy greens, cooked beans, corn, non-sugary cereals and grains, berries, apples and most other fruits and vegetables. The Spiritual Travelers are currently working towards acquiring more food for themselves and their adderfowl, though they currently only have a source of rice to feed the creatures.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Adderfowl (particularly adderhens) are kept for their eggs (and some times their flesh) by a variety of different Gates denizens. Mothlings and Myotlings keep adderhens for their eggs to use in baked goods and certain recipes should any outsiders be visiting. Eadarlings keep adderhens for their eggs. Hags keep adderhens for their eggs and flesh. The Old Woman kept an adderhen in her garden for eggs. Along with many others.