I took a week's vacation and left my neighbor to take care of my hens (and their 2 they gave me... plus the retarded rooster). Today I was back in full swing and went out to the coop to water and feed the hens. I sat down to fix my sandal and while resting there two barred rocks and a rhodie jumped up on the bag of shavings and hunkered down like they wanted to hang out with me. I picked up a barred rock and scratched her ears, and played with her feathers for a while and set her down. I looked over to the wood shavings and one of my Easter Eggers had taken it's place. So I grabbed the RIR and messed with her for a while. In the meantime a WYNADOTTE jumped up and took the RIR's place. Now this NEVER happens. My winedotters avoid me like the plague. So I gingerly lifted her up and true to form she was a bit unsettled but she eventually settled into the nook of my arm and chirped content sounding little chirps while I scratched her ears. She even rolled the eye closed and tilted her head a bit. I think she enjoyed it. I looked at the bag of shavings and 2 more hens had taken the wynadotte's place, so there were four hens jocking for a turn. I picked up the other barred rock just as the easter egger came back for seconds. Even the white leggern, which was my neighbors came over to see what all the hub-bub was about. She had been fussing in the nesting boxes, trying each one. She hadn't layed an egg yet but looked like she was fixing to. So I reached for her slowly but she wasn't quite confident enough to let me pick her up. I'll work on her later. I was just so excited my hens were lining up for attention.
I always loved the way my hens would come sit with me. Lay about on the grass to cackle and preen. I think they understood no predators would bother them if I was near, and took the time to relax and enjoy life.
