Fowl play at Team Dennis Conner

By REBECCA WALSH

The syndicate boss is no slouch when it comes to sounding off, but latest residents at Team Dennis Conner's base really have something to crow about.

Seven Rhode Island Reds have taken up residence at the American compound in a home-made chicken coop. The chickens provided a "homely touch" for the syndicate's 25 children, who are aged six weeks to 16 years, a spokesman said.

"An America's Cup compound tends to be a pretty focused place that isn't particularly kid-friendly and we have a little kid-friendly corner."

There was no need to call in outside help when it came to building the birds' home. "We have enough skills to completely rebuild an America's Cup boat so we also have enough skills to build a chicken coop."

So, why the Rhode Island Reds? Team Dennis Conner represents the New York Yacht Club and the club has a base at Newport, Rhode Island.

The chickens were bred in Rhode Island in the 1830s and are a "dual-purpose breed", laying large brown eggs and supplying "fair-sized" roosters.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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