March 27. 2013: Dinosaurs in the yard!

Have you ever seen a chicken, not just walk around, but full on run.  If you haven't, rent Jurassic park and watch the veloceraptors.  It is freakishly similar to the way Mabel and Barbara run. 
Yesterday afternoon Cal and I were taking our almost daily nap, when it wounded like dinosaurs were running across the deck outside the bedroom.  I mean they were loud, especially on the wooden deck.

They came pounding from the east side of the yard heading west.  I thought maybe a cat was in the yard again.  So I leaped up, opened the sliding door and ran out to protect my baby girls.  Annie even came out to help.  Nothing!  No cat, no marauding creature of any kind.  WTH? I was just dozing off you little running rats.

All of a sudden they came running again, Barbara in the lead, with Mabel right behind her, around the lawn, past the hedges and BAM up on the wooden deck again, which I kid you not sounds like a lot of something heavy.  Still no sign of threat. 

When they did this a third time, I finally figured out they were playing a game, perhaps chicken tag, and just having a ball.  I wanted to be annoyed, but I can't be when I see those mini-dinosaurs running around playing. 

It is still a little off- putting when they come running at you, with those chicken eyes, until I remember that I could probably drop kick one of them over the fence.....not that I ever would, but it supports my illusion that I am in charge. 

Having chickens is the funnest thing I have done in a long time.  Comedians of the barnyard, that's what they are.  

March 23, 2013: Rising With The Chickens

It is now 4:45 am my time and I am wide awake.  WHY!!! I should be sleeping soundly beneath my quilts with the dog under the covers next to me, between me and my husband.

Its those dang chickens!  They have modified my behavior!  They wake up so early! 

I am retired!! No more up at 0dark30.  It may be part of their plot to take over the house by making me so tired I just give up and let them in.

Right now I am being very very quiet.  I have figured that if I go into the kitchen to start the coffee, they will hear me and start squawking.  Their chicken run is right on the other side of the wall in the kitchen, and they have very good hearing. 

They are so cute though when they run to the sliding doors in our bedroom when we let them out.  Cal released the beasts yesterday morning while i was still blissfully asleep.  I woke up and threw back the curtains to find two little hens preening and cococococing right out side the door.  They looked up at me as if to say "Hi Mommy", we let you sleep later today, but don't get  used to it". 

I know their plan now...but I am the Mommy, and no matter what, they are not getting in.  Besides the bed is too small for 2 chickens, one dog and two human beings!

March 16, 2013: We're Back and The Chickens are Pissed Off

I have read so much about chickens in the last several months, and consider myself a semi-expert.  Especially as I now actually have chickens.  So the book learning and the experience have increased my love, and delight in the girls.  Can you tell there is a But coming?

OK, one of the facts I learned was that as long as the chickens have adequate food, water and shelter you can leave them for 5-7 days.  Perhaps this is the case when you have a large flock who range around your barn yard.  BUT when you have two chickiens who are essentially pets it is a different story.

Cal and I went up to our cabin to do some Spring cleaning and to get it ready for friends who are renting it for next weekend.   We cleaned the girls chicken run, freshened their pine shavings, made sure they had everything they needed, and then left for 3 days.  I even asked my sister to check on them to make sure they hadn't dumped their water over or anything.

She called me on day two to tell me she went by to check.  She said the chickens went nuts!  Ran to the pen door raising hell like Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!   They threw themselves at the door, pushing and shoving each other away, trying to get to her.

Karen has grown to have warm feelings towards Mabel and Barbara, but still has a healthy fear of them, so did not open the cage.  That was a good idea as she would have never gotten them back in.  Anyway, they were pissed off.

Upon arriving home on the 4th day, I immediately went outside to let them out.  Boy were they mad, and they did not spare the chicken swearing, at me.  I would have thought they'd run out into the yard, but instead they ran around my feet squawking and raising hell.   Cal came out too and they proceeded to give him "what for " as well. 

They had kicked most of their dirt out of the portable dust bath we have in their run, and clearly displayed their disapproval by making a Holy mess, as onlya  farm animal can do.  They did lay 5 eggs while we were gone, which was little consolation.

Cal and I picked them up and cuddled them, scratched under their wings, and told them how we missed them.  We discussed with them that the cabin was in the woods and that there were too many natural predators to take them with, as they are not house broken.  Can you house break a chicken?

We gave them some raisins and all simmered down in the kingdom.  But I am guessing that our next travel will mean having to hire a chicken sitter. 

March 7, 2013: Chicken Peepers

Good day all.  Went to the dentist yesterday and came away with sticker shock!  Lost a crown and need a root canal, plus a crown on that tooth.  Chickens do not have teeth and therefore do not have to contemplate how to pay for dental work.  Lucky Bums.

How else are chickens lucky you might ask.:
1.  Chickens do not pay taxes
2.  Chickens do not have to work except for laying eggs.
3.  Chickens do not have to diet.
4.  Chickens do what they want.
5.  Chickens can fly a little bit.
6.  Chickens can eat almost anything.
7.  Chickens do not have to go to school, study or take exams.
8.  Chickens do not get arrested for peeping in your windows. 

Number 8 comes to mind due to the chickens natural curiosity.   They are endlessly curious about the world around them.  Some of it is hunting for food, but most of it I think is just being busy bodies.

When we are outside they follow us around wanting to see what's what.
When we are indoors, they run from glass door to glass door trying to keep track of us.  Are they keeping a journal of our activities?  Are they spies sent to keep an eye on us? Maybe they are writing a book about humans.  After all I write about them in my blog, on Facebook and in  my Children's Books.

In any case Mabel is freaking me out by peeking in at me.  Does she not look like a chicken with a plan?