Flying the Coop

This is the color of a couple of our chickens - the Rhode Island Reds. After the fox got all but two of our previous chickens, Louis reinforced the electric fencing around the chicken yard. Then in March we traded egg cartons for five pullet laying hens and a couple weeks later bought five more from a neighbor. We now own a couple of hens of 5 or 6 different varieties. Our dozen hens are without a rooster, which is fine with me. One less obstacle when we need to gather the eggs.

About a week ago, we noticed some interesting behavior in the chicken yard. Several of the younger hens were tired of being confined & found a way to escape the electric fenced chicken yard. They would back up to the far east of the yard, facing the fence between their yard & the area in which we have our six sheep penned. Then using most of the chicken yard as a runway, they would run two/thirds of the way to the fence and then start flapping their wings to fly over the fencing. After only one or two tries, several pullets succeeded in flying out of their chicken yard. We pray this will not expose them to the cunning fox of yore. Our original two survivors are too heavy to copy the younger hens' behavior. They seem content to take a dirt bath instead.

The young adult that lives off & on in our home, shares some of these chicken traits. When we tighten or strengthen the boundaries meant for her safety, she finds ways to fly out of the home area. Actually, it's usually driving out in her snazzy, red Pontiac Grand Am. Thankfully, tonight she is out, but attending her first Young Life meeting with Sherry & family & Taylor - a neighbor friend. Flying from one safe area to another is entirely acceptable.