Crazy Chicken Lady

Five years ago, my family gave me chickens for my birthday. That’s right…chickens. I purchased them on Craigslist and had the coop delivered from Amazon. I don’t think any of us realized at the time how much joy they would bring. It wasn’t long before they became more than just egg producers, they also became pets. Our favorite was Henrietta, an Ameraucana that laid green eggs. It’s very relaxing to watch them wander around the yard. I have always been a country gal. Aside from a short stent when Duane and I married we lived in town but always knew we wanted to raise our family in the country. When our kids were toddlers, we began searching for our little slice of heaven on earth that we fondly refer to as “The Ridge”. A name derived from the community our property is located. Over the years we have had our own menagerie of animals, but I think chickens were the favorite for all of us. Country life isn’t always rainbows and unicorns. I awoke one morning to find my chicken tractor was a splintered, obliterated mess. Henrietta was missing, along with the other girls. No trace of them. We believe a bobcat dined on our pets. And I have not been able to bring myself to get more because I am not sure I can keep them safe from predators. When the news began reporting of this virus and word spread that grocery shelves were bare, I considered getting more to provide a daily supply of eggs. Not to mention, a friend has been posting photos and videos daily of her new chicks. But Ayrton heard a bobcat a couple nights ago and Duane saw one on our property last weekend. So, I will take it as a sign I am not to have chickens. At least for now. I look forward to the day when life returns to normal and hope I can ditch this itch for buying more girls. Until then, I will continue to shelter in place and enjoy each day at “The Ridge.” "I began raising chickens primarily for their eggs, but over the years, I've also grown fond of caring for them and learning about their many different breeds and varieties." ~Martha Stewart