A coworker once asked me about my weekend, which launched me into a conversation monologue about my chickens. I told her my husband and I had built some security into their run because of hawk problems, and that I had mucked out the chicken palace. At that last comment she snorted incredulously,
“You enjoy doing that?“
to which I replied,
“Well, yes I do.”
My chickens and geese depend on me. I get up, don my “Fashionable attire for feeding chickens and geese on COLD mornings,” brace myself, walk out the door, and set to work.
The routine is the same, it never varies by much except for how cold it gets. Today the ice on the chicken’s water is only the thickness of cardboard. Once last year it was over an inch thick and I had to go out and crack it again midday! This morning I easily break it with my wellies, and then reaching in with my ungloved hand, I lift out the shards. My fingers burn from the icy chill. Quickly I dry them on my wooly robe, and just as quickly reglove them.
Next, I let out Quasimodo and Miss Dixie, check for an egg, and grab their food dispenser to take with me to the barn for refilling.
Quasi is my special needs silky rooster. He has curled toes, that make him hobble and lurch, and he’s blind in one eye from an infection he picked up as a baby chick. Miss Dixie is a mixed breed, little white splash hen (Blue Andalusian and Buff Polish) who thinks that Quasimodo is the perfect mate… she can say,
“No, thank you dear.”
and there is nothing he can do about it.
Now, the fun begins! It’s off to the barn to let out the geese. As I near the roll up door I hear them becoming animated. I try to sneak up on them every morning, but their little grunting noises tell me that they’ve once again heard the gate latch. I approach the door and call out,
“Good morning duck-butts, good morning!”
Which gets them knocking on the metal door with their beaks in response. Huey stretches his long neck under the door and rushes out, next comes Polly who strolls out, stops, and taking a moment, looks up at me as if to say,
“Good morning to you Missus!” and “What took you so long?”
Last is Little Dorrit, who once everyone else is out of the way, begins flapping her wings and honking as she becomes airborne! This little morning flight gets her four feet up out of the straw and six feet out of the door. When she lands she takes off running and honking to catch up. I listen as her little flappy feet slap the frozen mud and I realize I’m smiling.
Last stop, the chicken palace. I open the gate to the run and hear them all cooing inside. Someone has gotten into someone else’ space in the door lineup inside the coop. Squawking and rustling ensues. I call out…
“Good morning stinkies, com’on out!”
I open the coop doors and they rush, tumbling beak-over-butt-feathers to get out and find breakfast. Some days, I let them out first and when they realize the food isn’t there yet, they race back to me, and stopping they look up as if to say,
“What’s this trick? Where’s breakfast?”
I refill their food dispenser, put food into the other chicken’s feeder, check their water and then go in to check for eggs. This morning I find that there is one, freshly laid, blue-green jewel in the back nest. Reaching in I pick it up and discover that it is still warm. Removing my glove from the still frozen hand I take the egg and cradle it there. It’s heat begins thawing my fingers as I place it into my pocket. Unwilling to let go, I leave my hand there with the egg until it becomes too cool to work its magic.
Almost done! Now, returning to the little coop, I hang the newly filled feeder for them, then looking back, I check quickly to be sure I haven’t left any gates open.
Pausing before I go in, I reach back into my pocket and pull out the little egg. Looking at it I think,
“This is why I do it.”
~*~
My little reward from my girls for the time I take to keep them happy.
~*~
Ahem, if you haven’t clicked on the link to “Fashionable attire for feeding chickens and geese on COLD mornings” then you’re missing out on a rare and candid view… 😉
~*~
Life on the Farmlet 
Oh I love it, especially your geese! I know exactly what you mean, It is the sweetest routine of the day the morning one.. feeding out in the evening is calmer though and i am more prone to leaning and watching in the late afternoon.. I really enjoyed this post esp after my morning struggles.. c
Thank you Cecilia, I understand about hanging about in the afternoons to watch them. It is the most calming activity. Although, here in Alabama my watching activity reverses in the sultry summertime! 😉 ~ L
Loved following you around the coops and felt almost as good as you do upon picking up the egg. I’ll second your recommendation to click on the photo link…big grin still plastered on my face. My kinda girl! 🙂
Hahaha, Cindy! When it’s that cold in the early morning I simply don’t care what I look like. Ah, frumpy vs. freezing, NOPE, I’ll take frumpy thank you.
Hm, maybe that’s what Polly is trying to convey with that look she gives me each morning… “Missus, have you no care for keeping up your appearance?”
~ L
Delightful post!! I’m with you… I love all of the little critters I care for. Our’s are of a more wild nature (except for the chickens), but they are all well taken care of. Eggs, a song, a cackle, a fly by, or a leap, they all gift us with something for the day. I love this post! Who knew we could love our chores??!!
Who indeed, Little Sun Dog, the magic of it all, is that we do! ~ L
Sounds like a pretty good way to start the day to me. LOVE the fashion attire. Very nice ROFL.
I can so identify with your routine (although I am not as organised as you!) – loved this post.
Julie, I was thinking about you as I wrote it, and imagined that you would “get it.” Glad you liked it! ~ L (BTW, I am a zombie first thing in the morning… it is always best to have a routine if you are a zombie.)
What a lovely early morning scene you set.
I used to gather eggs on my grandmother’s farm when I was young. I remember it was always so much fun and such a treat to find an egg in each nest waiting for me to pluck it.
Pleasure to browse your blog. Happy new year!
A wonderul post, and for me a great introduction to your hens and geese, and your wonderful world!
Duck-butts! Too funny 🙂
Welcome to my world, Claire! I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit. 🙂 ~ L
Loved your post even though I’m not a ‘farm’ type girl at all :-). I do love reading about it! Love the communication between your chickens/ducks and other animals.
Thanks Jacqui, Please feel free to come and visit on the Farmlet any time! ~ L 🙂
Love that you mentioned checking the gates. The sign of a true farmer is making sure the gates are latched!
Stevie @ ruffledfeathersandspilledmilk.com
Stevie, thank you for the compliment and for visiting. Glad you left your address too! 😉 ~ L
My dad raised chickens. I remember gathering eggs and finding an opossum in the nest one day.
What did you do??? ~ L
I really enjoyed this recitation of your morning routine…thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Kerry. I love to share what goes on here, and the things that entertain me. This blogging medium gives me the chance to do that without seeing the yawns of disinterest. 😉 And so, it is a particular treat to know that the people who return, come by because the really do enjoy it. ~ L
I just found your blog, and what a delightful post! I am forwaring this to my parents, who also raise chickens in the north Alabama area. It is quite a time consuming hobby, but they love their birds!
Hello Donna, thank you for visiting and for posting. I hope your parents enjoy it. I went to your site too and have fallen in love with your grandfather in his shop. The photographs are awesome! ~L