For at least a couple of hours each day our chickens get the run of the yard. For the most part, they wander around happily hunting and pecking for bugs. Occasionally, they’ll all nestle down behind the hydrangea bushes next to the house for a little nap.

And frequently, this is what I see from the kitchen.

The chickens come onto the deck and stand at the door, lobbying for treats. These are the roosters, T. Boone Chickens and Johnny Cash. They like to look in the window and crow to get my attention. The hens are a bit more subtle, but no less insistent.

In my recent Examiner column about the benefits of raising backyard chickens, I said that chickens were entertaining.

Now, was I wrong?

Also new at Examiner:

The best portable chicken coops

Positive lessons for kids and parents from the kitchen garden

Organic Gardening magazine shows strong ad revenue in 2008 despite recession

Amazing heirloom tomato varieties available with mailorder tomato plants

Experiment with exotic and unusual seeds from around the world

Robin

8 Responses to “Those crazy chickens…knocking at the door”

  1. Benjamin Says:

    This reminds me of Don’s deer over at An Iowa Garden. They come right up to the door and stare a while. Freaky! All I have is an opossum.

  2. Gail Says:

    Hi Robin, another wonderful episode of the chicken chronicles. Our yard squirrels come and pound on the
    glass to let me know when the bird feeder is empty!
    I am well trained…and you?

    gail

  3. Lisa at Greenbow Says:

    What a flock of entertainment you have Robin. Those roosters think they rule the roost.

  4. Rick Says:

    Hey, a new post on the old Bumblebee blog! Good to read it. Well, since you have roosters and hens, do you plan on having little chicks come springtime?

  5. Robin Says:

    That looks like something out of a cartoon! Far more entertaining though.

  6. mrs dirty boots Says:

    very entertaining – ours are kept at the far end of our plot but they make a huge amount of ‘hello’ noises when they hear our car – always brings a smile to my face, its nice to be welcomed home. i wish they could roam closer to the house but with all the wildlife and ferrel campo dogs they woouldn’t last long!

  7. Layanee Says:

    You were not wrong! Definitely funny and they look like they are applauding you! I need some chickens…maybe when I retire.

  8. Mr. McGregor's Daughter Says:

    That is too funny! I guess chickens are a lot smarter than I realized.

Right Now at Bumblebee

February 6th, 2012

Another Monday.

Harry and I spent the better part of the weekend painting the master bedroom. We traded off between rolling and detail work and we both made our fair share of messes. For a while Sophie perched on top of a chaise to supervise our work. Sarah was distraught. She does not like change.

Today we get back to normal. I will have to do something about my manicure. Speckled fingernails in Benjamin Moore Light Pewter is not really a good look.

Here’s wishing you a happy, calm and productive week.

Robin

February 3rd, 2012

If you’re in the neighborhood and just happen to have your paintbrush and paint clothes with you, stop on by. Harry and I are taking the day off from work to start painting the master bedroom. We figure it’ll take until Sunday. Harry does most of the rolling—no small chore with high ceilings—and I do all the tedious detail work. You, of course, can pitch in wherever you like.

We’re painting it a dove grey. So if you see some grey in my hair in the next few days, it’s paint. Got it? The grey is paint.

Robin

February 2nd, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

We’ll have a special dinner of NOT groundhog. Dinner will be a special pasta (TBD) and some yummy homemade yeast rolls. Then we’ll pull out the photo album of past Groundhog Days and reminisce. We will toast Puxatawny Phil by opening the first bottle of my homemade apfelwein, which I hope is sparkly by now. If it’s any good, you’ll hear more about it.

Cheers!

Robin

February 1st, 2012

Working from a home office is not always what it’s cracked up to be. I have a lousy IT department (me). Interruptions range from barking dogs to crowing roosters. I hear my business phone ring during non-business hours.

But there is a lot good about a 15 step commute. Such as today. It’s cloudy and a bit drizzly, but the temps will climb into the mid 60s for the second day in a row. I will turn off the heat, throw open the windows and give the house—and office—a good airing. Ahhh!

Robin

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