TRICKIN' CHICKENS

Today I went to a poultry farm with Gwen to buy three live chickens (two hens and a rooster). We have chickens and turkeys on the farm already so this was to be an experiment in breeding a different type. Gwen was in search of White Jersey Giants, a white chicken with gray legs that lays brown eggs. They're slow grow and plump and juicy for slaughter. This was definitely a NEW DO experience. We drove the winding up and down hill roads to reach BONNIE the BIRD LADY. She's a talkative lass and she sure loves her fowl. There were several species of farm birds. There were chickens, ducks, and birds that look like Cruella Du Vil from 101 Dalmatians. In fact, I am certain Cruella's hair was inspired by a White Crested Black Polish Standard. The adults look so fashionably chic and the dozens of little hatchlings were adorable. So were the black, yellow and brown ducklings. Yes, Bonnie has an abundance of farm fowl.

So I wondered, “How do you catch a chicken?” With a chicken catchin' net of course. But first you have to trick them by tossing feed on the ground and calling chick, chick, chick. When they're busy pecking at their feed you swoop down on one with your chicken catchin' net, whisk it away, extract it from the netting and put it in a cat carrier. Then you go trick another chicken. Chickens are not the brightest of fowl on the planet.

It was an interesting afternoon. I learned a few things. For instance, you can often judge the color of the egg a chicken will produce by the chicken's earlobes. I never knew chickens even had earlobes. I never really had given it any thought. I am going to have to check out our chicken's ears tomorrow.  It is too dark now.  I had heard before, and it was reiterated today, that the way to integrate a new chicken into the chicken house is to wait until night fall then you sneak the new chickens into the coop while it is dark. When the old timers wake up with the new arrivals the next morning none of the chickens can remember who was there the day before. “Don't I know you?  Well it doesn't matter.” They just think that everyone belongs there. Chickens have pretty bad short term memories as well as not being the brightest of fowl on the planet. But I said that before.

It was such an unusual menagerie of farm fowl.  It really is hard not to post more photos than usual about my TRICKIN' CHICKEN afternoon. I am also going to add one of MONSTER the Maine Coon Cat that lives at Journey's End Farm. He is the hunter extraordinaire. When the chickens were put in the barn this afternoon we asked him, “Please don't kill them Monster.”  The other day we found a full grown rabbit dead in the driveway. Monster was so proud of his kill that he is still strutting around with pride. And I guess he should. That rabbit weighed almost as much as he does. Maybe he would want a job keeping the mice out of my car next winter.

That's it. I am seriously tired again tonight. It was a long day. I also cooked dinner for all of us making PLENTY so we can re-heat it for lunches or for tomorrow night's dinner. It's summer and on a farm that means taking advantage of more hours of daylight to accomplish tasks. Everyone else has gone to bed. I am sure the chickens are asleep as well. I just hope that I don't have poultry dreams. Between the White Crested Black Polish Standard's poofy head toppings and the idea of chickens having earlobes it is quite possible that my subconscious mind may create some sort of farm fowl wearing earrings and heels. And what about chicken lips? Lipstick?

I better go to bed. I am getting silly. Mugwamp the indoor cat has entered my bedroom. He is ready for nighty night too as tomorrow brings another DO NEW and 100F muggy degrees. UGH.  I did get to RITEAID to search for LAVA soap.  They didn't have any but they do carry beer, wine and liquor. It's the area's package store. What a hoot. Drink up then take an aspirin. 

Tomorrow I am getting off the farm and to the state park for while,  The clubhouse there has WIFI.  I sent a newsletter out to my private yahoo list but only ONE person responded.  Over the years I believe I have lost my audience.  Perhaps in 2007 my Buenos Aires life was so NEW and exotic it was worth more of a read/response.  Oh well.  Life and adventures move on.  LIVE SOMETHING NEW!