The Chickens

The weather has been warming up lately and the layer of perpetual snow has finally melted away. (Please don't remind me that another batch is coming on Monday, because la, la, laaaaa, I can't hear you!!!!) This means the chickens have been free in the yard where they cluck happily and stick their fluffy butts in the air. All was fine and dandy last week until James decided to give one a spin in the rain barrel. Let me tell you, I've never seen a chicken run so fast in my life. As my friend aptly joked: it's gonna be scrambled eggs for that one! Yes indeed. Due to unscheduled events (read: life happens) I didn't end up butchering the older batch last fall, much to the relief of my vegetarian neighbor. They have since resumed laying so I will keep them around for a while. In other chicken news (snooooze?) there has been an interloper in the chicken coop. A gnarly-looking possum has found its way into the coop not once, but twice. The first time, in a moment of cityfied softness, I shooed it out of the coop. The second time was a bit more confrontational, best described as pitch-black stand-off with snarling possum, and the result: the possum left with a limp, and 5 years off my life. Stand-offs with snarling possums not recommended. Don't try this at home, kids. In short, if you made it to the bitter end of this post, the chickens are still alive, still laying eggs, and our shed continues to attract all manner of wildlife. Hope your weekend is rodent-free!