Do they like us ...

... or are they just greedy? I know as soon as I open my front door, a wave of chickens comes running to see what treats I have for them.

There are three, though. Little Maggie will come jump in my lap while the others are filling their greedy selves with frozen corn and peas. Don't get me wrong, she's in there like all the others, acting like its the last meal they will ever see, but where the others don't leave the bowls until they are empty, Maggie leaves and comes to visit with me.

Frack, my house chicken, comes running whenever I call. She sits on the floor beside me (with her chick) while I'm at the computer.

Now my newest, Butch (brother Sundance is not as friendly), will run up to me and jump in my lap whenever I am outside.

My flock of 14 half-grown, of which Maggie is one (about 16 weeks or so old) will hang around when I'm working outside. They always keep me in sight - maybe they think I will suddenly turn into a giant ear of corn!

I often wonder what goes on inside their brains. Are we friends or just human automatic feeders?