Some Old Guy
Chirping
So, I've read over and over that the flock likes routine. I've thrown a wrench into their routine this morning, and I thought the response was pretty funny.
Normally, the sun comes up, and within 30 minutes, I come around to open their pen. This morning, I have appointments to keep, so I got a slightly early start on chores. The horizon was juuust starting to lighten up when I reached the door to the chicken pen. I open it up, and three chickens come running to the door, another half dozen show enough interest to slowly walk toward me. Two of the first three actually run out the door, then stop and look around. The third stops on the lip of the doorway, looks, turns around and goes back in. The other two decide they don't like what they see, and go back in the pen, where I keep some low-wattage lights burning.
Those birds KNOW that when I open the door it's time to go foraging. But, today, it's dark. They aren't going out into the darkness! I did make Speckle dog stay outside, just in case there's a 'possum or something lurking in the darkness. That doesn't really reassure the birds, but it reassures me.
So, now I'm trying to drink another cup of coffee before I have to leave the house. The sun isn't really showing yet, but the sky is definitely lightening up. Red Rooster is practicing his crowing, ducks are waddling out, guineas have all run out, and all the rest are tentatively moving toward the exit from the run.
I suppose they'll hold a grudge for messing up their routine, and I'll have to chase birds down this evening, when it's time to return to the pen.
Normally, the sun comes up, and within 30 minutes, I come around to open their pen. This morning, I have appointments to keep, so I got a slightly early start on chores. The horizon was juuust starting to lighten up when I reached the door to the chicken pen. I open it up, and three chickens come running to the door, another half dozen show enough interest to slowly walk toward me. Two of the first three actually run out the door, then stop and look around. The third stops on the lip of the doorway, looks, turns around and goes back in. The other two decide they don't like what they see, and go back in the pen, where I keep some low-wattage lights burning.
Those birds KNOW that when I open the door it's time to go foraging. But, today, it's dark. They aren't going out into the darkness! I did make Speckle dog stay outside, just in case there's a 'possum or something lurking in the darkness. That doesn't really reassure the birds, but it reassures me.
So, now I'm trying to drink another cup of coffee before I have to leave the house. The sun isn't really showing yet, but the sky is definitely lightening up. Red Rooster is practicing his crowing, ducks are waddling out, guineas have all run out, and all the rest are tentatively moving toward the exit from the run.
I suppose they'll hold a grudge for messing up their routine, and I'll have to chase birds down this evening, when it's time to return to the pen.
