i'm learning that having chickens is a lot like having kids. most of the tasks i perform outside, i end up having to do again and again. why? because the chickens like to dig and poop and make messes! a couple of weeks ago i planted my garlic bed so i can harvest garlic next july. i worked mulched leaves and composted chicken poop into the dirt and then covered it over with 4 inches of mulch and straw. i finished the mulching right at dark on a cool fall evening. i felt energized and fulfilled, anticipating a giant garlic harvest to enjoy and sell.
the next day as i pulled back the driveway after work i saw all 10 chickens digging furiously in my garlic bed. grrrrr! there is no herding them out of the garden when they're on a worm binge. the above photo shows the teamwork needed to be effective worm harvesters. one hen digs furiously while the other hovers close by to pounce at the first glimpse of a fat, juicy worm.
when a worm is plucked the other hens come running like banshees to get in on the action. you wouldn't even believe how fast these hens can run!!!! we spoil them with all of our fruit and vegetable peels. so, of course, when we come out the back door they make a beeline toward us to get their goodies. if we're simply headed to the clothes line without any spoils for them, they will peck at our painted toenails, hoping for a tasty treat. and, it really hurts!
my friend vickie does not like chickens. she says they don't have any social boundaries and i do believe she's right.
we continue to get 9 or 10 eggs every day. the joy of gathering eggs has not waned and it is still one of my favorite daily chores.
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