So much has changed since we decided to
welcome some feathered babies into the family. I now find myself
happy to get out of bed, after snuggling the kids of course. I get
my little one ready for school, and as soon as the bus pulls down the
road, I head right to the garage.
My regular shoes are off, and my
chicken shoes are on. I open my cabinet, and grab my big bowl. Into
the bowl goes a mix of starter/grower crumbles, a bit of grit, a
small amount of ultra kibble and a handful of scratch. I grab the jug
of water that I filled last night, mixed with a little apple cider
vinegar, and out I go to coop number one. We have a large number of
hawks and dogs in our area, so the chickens have covered runs for
their safety.
The silkies are awake, and Buddy is
looking at me out the window. Everyone is waiting. After filling
their water, I fill their dry feeder. I make sure the bowl of oyster
shells is full. They also get a tray of food, dampened with some
water. My husband calls it their oatmeal. It is a hit. Now it's
time to let them out. They always come out in the same order; Buddy
is first, checking to make sure everything is OK, followed my
Phyllis,the biggest hen and Buddy's favorite. The little ones are
next, Ivory, Cutie and then Ebony. Little Mama is always the last
one out. They make their soft happy noises, almost seeming to purr.
Back to the garage to make the next
mix. Everything is the same, just doubled. Now its off to the big
girl coop. Here we find my seven ladies waiting for me. Their happy
noises are soft chirps and hums, gentle clucks that seem to say “good
morning mama.” I open the run, and fill their water and both of
their dry feeders. They also get “oatmeal” in a tray. Time to
open the door and welcome them to the morning. Precious and Nugget
are first, followed by Bob, Tallula, Lucy and Geraldine. Princess,
the tiniest of the group, is always the last girl out.
Sitting on the bench outside the run, I
watch them for a while. My mind is clear, no to do list, no stress,
I just watch them. I love the way they they interact with each
other. They have their own system of things, and it just works.
I spend sometime looking around my lawn
for some dandelion greens, patches of clover and for the fat grass
that the girls like the best. They know what I'm up to, and pace
back and forth, waiting for me to come back. I give them the big
pile of grasses, and they are so happy. Now I have to find some
more, and head back over to the silkie coop. They see me coming, and
are so excited. I give them their greens and watch them go to town.
They seem to scratch the ground and forage more than the big girls.
Sitting on the little bench, I watch them do what they do.
Walking around, digging holes, looking for juicy bugs to eat.
Time to check for eggs, clean up
bedding, add new pine shaving and other various chicken duties.
After a bit of sanitizer, I put my chicken shoes back in the garage
and head in the house to wash up and make my coffee.
I am relaxed, awake and ready to start
my day. Glancing at the clock, its almost 9:30am.
