I remember when I had to schlep out of the house every day and drive to work. The first snow of the season always caused major traffic headaches. So when I lowered the gangplank to let Bob and the girls out for the first time in the snow, and the first chicken stopped dead in her tracks causing a multiple bird pile up, it didn't really surprise me. Her assumption that it must be white flaky toxic waste strewn about was pretty darned amusing though. Finally after the mob pushed the first one off into the snow and she didn't die, a few of them proceeded to walk on out. A couple tried flying to dry spots then were too afraid to move any further. None of them liked the snow though and all decided hanging out inside the coop was a much better option.
We designed the coop according to the recommended space requirements for keeping chickens. I don't think the folks making that recommendation took a hen's aversion to snow into consideration though. Nope, if they're cooped up in the coop all the time, they need a little more elbow room. And something to keep them entertained to prevent them from pecking each others feathers out.
Entertainment comes easy. Throw some scratch on the floor and let them dig for it. Hang a cabbage and let it serve as a pinata. Teach them a few sing-a-long songs. Oh, I kid. But the elbow room thing is a little more difficult to manage. Only one thing to do. Somebody's gotta bail ship. Today we had a nice couple show up and take four of our fat-bottom girls home with them. They, the couple, were excited to be getting such fat, fluffy and pretty hens. I think the hens will be happy too. And everyone else will have a little more room to run and play. Blackbeard might be a little depressed though. I caught him cavorting with one of the big Brahma girls earlier in the week. She was six times his size. Funniest thing I've seen in a LONG time. What a stud!
4 comments:
Kinda like Rod Stewart and "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" lol
(word verification "lardsta")
I would have a hard time letting go of any of them. I once had a black angus drop calf and she became an instant pet so I had to keep her instead of raise her for food. I'm an old softie when it comes to any animal. I even love the coyotes out here and leave food for them.
Chicken Cruise Director! A new job description for your resume. I'd like to see the chickens playing with their cabbage pinata. LOL.
But, the big question is...how is Beth's foot?
I think if I was penned up in a chicken coop I might peck someone's feathers out too! blessings, marlene
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