In which Twelve is gone, but the stories about her will live forever
I am sorry to report the recent demise of Chicken Twelve and
some of our other feathered friends.
While most of us were away at camp, a varmint invaded the chicken pen in the orchard and made off with many of our valued hen friends. Monica was able to save only three chickens, none of them, alas, were the beloved Silver Wyandottes.
We assume that Twelve, tough old bird that she was, put up a good fight.
Monica painted a portrait of Twelve stretching towards blueberries, but she felt that the usual background of grass and leaves would be inadequate to express the complexity of Twelve's life. She asked me to tell "Twelve Stories about Twelve", and incorporated them all into the portrait as only an artist who understands the deep nature of a transcendent hen could do.
So long, Twelve, and thanks for all the ... stories. You were a good chicken.
Blast the varmints anyway. Sorry to hear, Aarene. I love the portrait and the stories.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I loved to read her exploits. Lovely art to commemorate a wise old chicken. Better catch that varmint!
ReplyDeleteDid Monica draw that freehand? It's amazing. So sorry that 12 is gone, I can only imagine how she will be missed, from your stories. If I would have met her, I would have called her "Clever Twelve" because she was out of that pen so often. (Always?)
ReplyDeleteToday I gave "my" chickens entrails from something Mercer killed, and I dug up the fenceline so they could eat the fire ants. To see them eat fire ants is the very best thing yet.
When I took out the trash all 5 of them came running and I said, "Oh, OK" and rummaged through it and gave them skin from the chicken quarters I'd boiled. I hope the neighbors don't mind that their chickens seem to think they have two owners. The chicken area is much closer to our house than it is to the neighbors, so they see everything we do. I mowed the lawn along the fenceline and the chickens didn't mind, they watch my every move as they wiggle around in the dust pits they've made. I'd still love it if they jumped the fence and visited...
Lovely tribute to Twelve. Sorry about the bad chicken luck. Varmints can really ruin a good thing...
ReplyDeleteLast week I moved my nine new pullets into their portion of the coop to transition into life with the big girls. Within 24 hours we suffered a raccoon related massacre(e). Guts, feet, wings, organs spread far and wide. Trapped and relocated the offending critter but there are always more.
These solar powered anti-varmint lights were recommended by my chick supplier - hoping they work.