Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Spring is officially here and with that this crazy chicken lady’s mood has significantly improved. Caring for chickens is MUCH more delightful in 50+ degree weather and although I still have some complaints (yes, they are still addicted to my cat’s food and still poop everywhere), they are not an unwelcome addition to the yard at the moment. We recently had our first hen loss and although it’s always a sad occasion when an animal looses its life, it did result in a pretty comical story which I’m sharing right here, right now. 

It was just an ordinary morning except for the fact that our neighbor had just put his house up for sale. And if you’re following the house market these days it’s crazy amount of showings in 1-2 days resulting in an insane number of offers all over asking price, full cash, with people waving inspections and offering other crazy concessions to even be considered. What a time to be a realtor or selling your house! Am I right? Anyways, back to the dead chicken. I let the chickens out of the coop and noticed a hen had died, I looked around to make sure it didn’t look like a critter was involved (you know, for safety of the rest of the flock) and decided it must have been from natural causes and also that it was a convenient day to loose a chicken because it’s trash day and I can just toss that chicky in the trash can. So I grabbed the hen by the legs and start making the trek down our driveway, because the trash can was at the road for pickup. And just as I was nearing the road, a family left a showing at our neighbor’s house (who probably were all excited about the possibility of their future dream home) and drives past me, obviously seeing me with dead chicken in hand. At that moment I’m sure they knew if this neighborhood was a fit for them or not, because you either fit into that country category or you don’t. I can only imagine the questions that were asked from the children in the back of their mini van. I mean I know sometimes I really know how to make a great first impression, but honestly guys, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to top that one.

But future neighbors, whoever you may be, here are some warnings of what it’s like to have us as your neighbors.

1. We have a rooster and he crows. Although Alberto/Alfredo (yes, he has multiple names) is a chill rooster, he makes sure his ladies know where he’s at often.
2. I sometimes talk to my chickens (and for sure pets) like they are humans. “Yes, Marsha Mellow, you are looking quite dashing in that sunlight today.”
3. I often try to scare my chickens by making loud bird like noises at them (think Moira Rose in the Crows Have Eyes 3, from Schitts Creek) to get them off the deck or other areas I don’t want them to be.
4. No, my dog won’t eat the chickens even though I tell her too. She just likes to chase them and it makes her feel extra special when I play along and praise her.

Well I think that sums it up for now. I’m sure future neighbor, if you read this that you REALLY are excited about your new neighbors and can’t wait to meet us 🙂