Limits on Chickens

October 8:

When Richard or Melanie let the Chickens out of their Coop in the Morning, Our Fine Feathered Friends head out like a Flowing Stream. We smile. They are so eager for the Day.

As the Fall Season goes on, however, they seem to head further and further away. We noted this last year. We wonder if the tasty Insects they like to eat are fewer and farther inbetween.

To our dismay, the Chickens were in the middle of the Lane this Morning, which is the farthest they have been. "Stinker Chickens," as Melanie would say. Such escapades are a no-no, at least according the Rules we Humans have set.

While we have very little traffic on the Lane, we do occasionally have a logging truck headed to the Lumber Mill run by an Amish Family 1/4 mile down. Errant Dogs are rare, but they are possible. We have had a den of Foxes just South of the Property Line. Plus, we have had reports of Neighbors who have lost Chickens to Varmints. Their Varmints are likely to be our Varmints too.

Melanie has proposed a theory this morning. The Hennies and their Rooster Mr. Fredster may need more Protein as they are molting and laying Eggs besides. She decided to give them a treat of fresh Milk from a Local Dairy. They loved it.

In the meantime, we Humans are ever watchful. A short while later, those Charming Chickens are headed back toward the End of the Drive.

Theories are nice. Theories give shape and order to our Lives. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. We are back to the Drawing Board on this one. If we can't figure out an alternative, the Chickens will have to stay in their Coop.