I just love this picture of one of our Delaware hens poking around in their freshly-cleaned coop with one of her Red Star "sisters" looking on! We've had our small flock for a little over a year now and I can't begin to describe how much we enjoy their prescense! I have wanted to add chickens to our little piece of God's green earth for many years! My Grandpa had chickens and some of my best childhood memories are of helping "GP" gather the eggs! He fondly referred to them as "the girls" and would have a serious talk with them if egg production slowed down. He swore that a walk through the yard with the axe on his shoulder would boost production! Of course they knew what their destiny would be if they didn't start laying! Chickens are not dumb! In fact, I have learned that they are in fact very intelligent creatures! When I think about it, there a lot of phrases that relate to chickens and over the last year I've grown to appreciate and understand some of them! Like "Getting up with the chickens." I guess I missed the memo that says owning chickens means never sleeping late again! My girls are anxiously awaiting my arrival each morning around 5:30. They cackle and peep as if to say "Where is she? Doesn't she know it's time for us to get out of our coop?" Believe me - they let me know if I'm late because I've hit the snooze alarm one too many times! But in all seriousness, it's helped me learn the value of rising early and greeting the day. I've learned that my most productive hours are those in the early morning as the sun comes up and the earth wakes up! Then there's "Empty Nest Syndrome". Okay, I knew that meant the youngest has left the nest and Mom feels alone. We had a broody hen who continuously sat on eggs, hoping to hatch them. We didn't want to hatch any new chicks at the time, so each day, we gently reached underneath her and gathered the eggs. She was extremely disappointed and saddened - and okay, possibly a wee bit irritated! But I can honestly say I completely understand the term empty nest syndrome as our youngest will soon head back to school for her sophomore year of college! Those of us that get up with the chickens often "go to bed with the chickens as well." I am amazed each and every evening as the sun goes down that the chickens find their way back to their coop to nestle in for the night with their fellow hens (and rooster of course). I know at the end of each day, I give thanks for my family and this little farm I call home . . . a roof over my head and a safe haven to lay my head. Perhaps my chickens do too!
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