Idealistic vs Realistic

One of the main characteristics I describe myself with is "Idealistic". I don't do anything without having a 1950's or sometimes earlier view of it. When we first moved to the farm I thought it would be the coolest thing to have our chickens be able to free range. 

 

 

 I imagined them clucking around the barnyard at a soothing, relaxing pace.

I would walk out to the coop, basket in hand to gather eggs and they would come running when I called. Of course there would be chicks all in a row following a broody hen

 

 Well let me tell you what "Realistic " looks like!

A flock of chickens may pass under your kitchen window in a very upset cackle of arguments on who gets to stand closest to your Rooster. God forbid one of your chicks turns out to be an additional Roo, if this happens there will be crowing contests between the men of the group. Those boys have very strong opinions on which hens belong to them. Every once in a while  OK several times a day you will be startled by a squawking hen running for her life with a Rooster hot on her tail. Have you ever seen a Rooster run? Its like a mini velociraptor!

  Now if one of the girls spots a tasty worm there will be a graphic fight where it could get ripped into several worm portions.

While I do walk out to the coop swinging my basket ( and skipping ) sometimes reaching into a occupied nest box can be painful. Those girls do not like their fluffy butts lifted and their eggs stolen. ( here I thought they were going to give them up willingly) Out of six nest boxes only one will be "just right" and they don't wait patiently for it to be vacant. She will squawk and squawk to tell her friend to HURRY UP!

 

Its not all crazy antics though, some of the ladies really do like attention and I adore the "singing" my Rooster gently coos to his girls. I love watching them peck around the yard and laying in the shade of the fruit trees. Of course there is the delicious eggs too...that's a plus!

 

The Chickens are by far the most entertaining group on the farm and while its nothing like my vision I wouldn't trade it for all the eggs in china....or is it tea? Well you know what I mean