Wellies on. Coat on. Hat on. Squelch up the field. Trudge through the mud, each step squeezes out water beneath my boots. Even up here on the top of our low mountain the land is saturated. In theory every drop that has fallen is making its way down to our neighbouring valleys, where having nowhere else to go, it forms puddles, pools and lakes. I know I shouldn't complain - after all there are others actually under water and far worse off - not merely pee'd off by day after day of grey skies and rain.
But I am irked. Even the irritating 'Pollyanna-ish' side of me is failing to remain chipper. Perhaps I should follow my hens' example.
The new hens, perhaps overjoyed at having avoided their fate in 'enriched cages' in a battery house, have taken to life on this blustery hillside with enthusiasm. They're not whingeing about rain and wind - no - they're out there clucking and scratting, having a lovely time; their mission to convert the grassy pen to a mud patch nearly complete. It's surprising how much damage 34 small feet can wreak.
Here they are enjoying their afternoon corn and below trying to peck the word 'Dunlop' off my boots. I know, bird brained or what?
10 comments:
Oh , if only !
I love the thought of them all bustling about busily and am sure that their eggs are delicious as a result .
I was hoping to rescue a few battery hens myself, but I'm told there aren't any in my area (which I find hard to believe). Yours look very healthy.
At least the sun is shining on you all this morning! I bet those eggs are so flavoursome! x Jo
Hi drop some in when your passing. local eggs are so hard to get. theres nothing like a good boiled egg and toast. And the good news is I will willingly pay for them.
Mountaineer, how I wish that the soft boiled egg I will have for breakfast tomorrow could have been laid by one of your pecking crew.
i will try to imagine that extra delicious flavor.
Surely, you will be able to find some takers for your excess eggs in your immediate area?
xo
Can't beat fresh free range eggs!
I can't wait for all this water & rain to disappear.
Hello and congratulations for all those rescued ladies! We also have loads of delicious eggs these days but are never short of 'customers' whilst never made any publicity about. This last week I collected 37 eggs from 9 hens (2 are only laying from time to time). Nothing better than fresh organic eggs. And you are a bit 'guilty' that I finally got hens :-). Thank you, again!
What a joyful post! Rain or no rain, your hens know that life is good....
This makes me miss my hens! I laughed, though, at the muddy area created by those tiny feet. I remember it well!
Elder Daughter has built herself a chickenopolis in the back garden. Her hens don't seem to mind the rain. When we kept hens I used to keep them inside on deep litter all winter, but maybe chickenkeeping has moved on. But nothing beats your own eggs.
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