The Trouble With Chickens: A True Story

A hard working mom had plenty to do,
But she thought to herself, "I want to raise chickens, too."
So she consulted her friends, that Wonder-Mom Lori,
And ended up with some hens, but there's more to her story...

"Chickens are easy!" her friends did all say.
"You can care for them in just minutes a day.
Some food, some water, there's not much to it.
Go ahead, Lori, I think you should do it."

So Lori inherited 4 pullets white,
but they didn't seem to be growing just right.
They were lazy and fat; all they did was eat.
Then Wonder-Mom learned they were meant for their meat.

"I can't eat our pets, but they're driving me mad!"
They were too big for their legs and that made Lori sad.
So off two hens went for more experienced care,
where some nice chicken experts accepted them there.

And so came a new hen, to help start a new flock.
She roamed in the yard 'til she found a nice rock.
She hopped up on it, then on the neighbor's fence,
An escape was inevitable, and dangerous, hence...

Up the enclosure was built higher and higher.
More netting! More wood! More chicken wire!
A fortress now housed Lori's two hens
who had plenty of room to be joined by some friends.

Along came three more hens for a total of five.
They squawked and squabbled and didn't really jive.
But they were pretty to look at and some eggs they would lay.
Until the sun set and came the end of the day...

Lori suddenly released quite a shout.
"My new chickens! Oh, my new chickens got out!"
She searched in the darkness with flashlight to tree
But there were no chickens, at least none she could see.

Disheartened, she looked once more on a whim
And that's when she spotted them high up on a limb!
They weren't missing! Much rejoicing! The chickens were found!
Now if only she could get them back onto the ground...

So to all of those folks who said chickens were easy,
They're not, and their antics may make you quite queasy.
Chickens? No problem? I beg your pardon!
Maybe Wonder-Mom Lori should stick to her garden!


By Lori J. Rogers

 

Thanks! Unfortunately I had to add a roof to the run. We live in a neighborhood with lots of dogs on the other sides of fences, so too keep them safe, they'll have to roost in the coop-- NOT our tree!

 

Thanks! They're resting snugly on TOP of the coop now. Oh well, they certainly have minds of their own!