Houdini? Houdiness? Part 1

It was about the time that I started enjoying my chickens that they also started disappearing. One by one, a steady trickle of poultry feeding the crafty wildlife. We ended winter with 15 chickens (one pretty rooster, 14 layers). By this time last month, we were down to seven (one pretty rooster, 6 chickens). And I have to be honest with you. A bit honest. I was OK with this drop in numbers. I liked six. Six was comfortable, easy to count, and the eggs they produced were enough to be generous with yet not so many that I couldn't use them all up at home if need be. It was not an overwhelming number, and they did a nice job grazing for most of their food.

Chickens, though, had to work their way into my heart. They are not overly cuddly (well, not really cuddly at all) and don't have an endearing look to them (ala puppy). But, oh my are they functional! Eggs! We know about the eggs. But, did you know they eat most of the irritating pests strewn about the Iowan yard? Crickets and worms and grubs in the garden. Mosquitoes and flies and lightning bugs and beetles. Weeds! They like small weeds! Also, cucumber beetles and ladybugs. It's like having a mobile, quiet yard/bug/cleaning machine going at all times.

We turned my garden by hand this year, and while it was wonderful because it buried the tough layer of sod deeply in the earth, it was not the easiest task. After such labor, one is not too thrilled with the prospect of breaking up the clods, removing the fat white grubs, and smoothing out the ground for planting.




ENTER CHICKENS!
Before I knew it, the ladies ran over, thrilled with the new treat, and started scratching, digging, pecking and pwoking. A few minutes later, Voila! Ground ready for planting.





It was about this time that our dog, Sadie, decided the chickens had better stay in their pen, and started "showing them the way back" with her mouth. Needless to say, we lost a few in that process. By the time she was trained and all animals were happy, we were left with the six hens and 1 rooster. Here is a video of the ladies at work in my garden this spring. Ok, maybe not thrilling to watch, but let me tell you! It's wonderful! Also, I like how the Rooster is all "uh, you ladies do the work over there. I'll stand here and supervise...don't want to muss the feathers you know." Periodically he would traipse over, survey their progress, and then walk away again, aloof and regal.
I know what you are thinking. You want chickens now, don't you. It's ok, you can admit it here- we're all friends. See that smoothing action? That skillful bug extraction? I'm telling you, chickens are neat.

Second installment of The Amazing Chicken to come...