A recent neighborly visit brought two women face to face, but one had reason to be wringing her hands enough to shyly knock on a stranger's door and ask for help. A family decision to put their home on the market during these tough times (without much hope for a bite) remarkably resulted in an
instant sale- GREAT news for the family. But, suddenly a new concern surfaced that had been overshadowed by the real estate worries: With a move coming in the very near future, what to do with their pet chicken? Admittedly, their beloved gal has some "issues"- once a part of a small flock, she had witnessed all of her sisters fall prey to predators. The trauma caused her to refuse entering the coop, choosing instead to roost in the trees at night. She stopped eating chicken food instead preferring to ' free-range wild-craft' with occasional catfood treats. A family cat became her sole companion. With all these quirky habits, would I,
could I consider adopting her? My chickens seemed to be happy and well-adjusted with free roaming rights on this farm and gave her feel-good vibes whenever she drove by and saw them in the yard. (Funny, I do hear that alot
) Would it be possible for her chicken to be reintroduced to the flock mentality? Well, sure! I was more than willing to try. No need to apologize for those 'silly' chicken emotional attachments, Dear Neighbor. You're talking to another chicken momma who has shed many a chicken tears. So on Sunday, two neighbors extended their families by sharing a single white chicken who can now reacquaint herself with others of her own kind and have some nice digs to retire on. So far so good. The gals are curious about each other and can co-exist within the same general vicinity. No pecking order threats. No domination. It's gonna work out. A few funny quirks though....the new arrival keeps following my skiddish Juniper cat around who is not too sure she wants the attention and her nighttime nesting of choice is in overgrown barberry bush that is even more overgrown with poison ivy!! Boy, there's no chance of catching her after dark to quietly move her to the coop, I guess. Smart girl! I hope her brilliant white feathers don't draw nighttime attention from above ...namely owl attention. I also hope she chooses one of two open barns to roost in come tough weather. Only time will tell. This hen didn't come with a definitive name but I can't bring myself to call her the obvious 'Whitey', either. Have any suggestions? She's been pretty easy. I had her eating chicken food (mixed with catfood) outa my hand this morning. Welcome, dear chicken, to the Farm! I think you're gonna like it here.
A recent neighborly visit brought two women face to face, but one had reason to be wringing her hands enough to shyly knock on a stranger's door and ask for help. A family decision to put their home on the market during these tough times (without much hope for a bite) remarkably resulted in an instant sale- GREAT news for the family. But, suddenly a new concern surfaced that had been overshadowed by the real estate worries: With a move coming in the very near future, what to do with their pet chicken? Admittedly, their beloved gal has some "issues"- once a part of a small flock, she had witnessed all of her sisters fall prey to predators. The trauma caused her to refuse entering the coop, choosing instead to roost in the trees at night. She stopped eating chicken food instead preferring to ' free-range wild-craft' with occasional catfood treats. A family cat became her sole companion. With all these quirky habits, would I, could I consider adopting her? My chickens seemed to be happy and well-adjusted with free roaming rights on this farm and gave her feel-good vibes whenever she drove by and saw them in the yard. (Funny, I do hear that alot
) Would it be possible for her chicken to be reintroduced to the flock mentality? Well, sure! I was more than willing to try. No need to apologize for those 'silly' chicken emotional attachments, Dear Neighbor. You're talking to another chicken momma who has shed many a chicken tears. So on Sunday, two neighbors extended their families by sharing a single white chicken who can now reacquaint herself with others of her own kind and have some nice digs to retire on. So far so good. The gals are curious about each other and can co-exist within the same general vicinity. No pecking order threats. No domination. It's gonna work out. A few funny quirks though....the new arrival keeps following my skiddish Juniper cat around who is not too sure she wants the attention and her nighttime nesting of choice is in overgrown barberry bush that is even more overgrown with poison ivy!! Boy, there's no chance of catching her after dark to quietly move her to the coop, I guess. Smart girl! I hope her brilliant white feathers don't draw nighttime attention from above ...namely owl attention. I also hope she chooses one of two open barns to roost in come tough weather. Only time will tell. This hen didn't come with a definitive name but I can't bring myself to call her the obvious 'Whitey', either. Have any suggestions? She's been pretty easy. I had her eating chicken food (mixed with catfood) outa my hand this morning. Welcome, dear chicken, to the Farm! I think you're gonna like it here.
5 comments:
What a touching post hon...As Big E always says you is the babe with the powah. ( even those chicken gals know this) Good heartwarmin' read.:)
Took me forever to load your blog. Is blogger slow today or what?
How about Ivy???? Just thought it was cute after reading about her roosting in the poison ivy. I have "inherited" hens that way before too. She is cute!! lucky her and you!!!
Jenny, I thought of Ivy, too ! I have named two other animals Ivy over the years and it never seemed to stick. Maybe this time it will!!
Sue, and if Ivy doesn't stick, how about Sweet Annie? She seems so adorable with a mind of her own, taking to the juniper cat and probably still grieving over the loss of her friends. She certainly has found a lovely home.
Mary
Mary, that is a perfect name for her.
You know I always go for the plant themed names wherever possible! Ivy , once again, just wasn't working. I better just hang it up..for good this time. Thank you.
Post a Comment