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I’ve always thought a little romantically about having chickens in my yard. They are so cute, pecking around. My neighbors had a few, so I went by one day and got the tour. I even interviewed them for research on the sequel to Blessen. (She has a pet chicken in both books.) And what is better than farm fresh eggs?
When my daughter was house sitting last week, I went by for a visit. I posted about the horse on Saturday, celebrating his affection. The owners left a long list of chores. They included feeding the dogs, the cats, the ducks, the horses, the bird, and the chickens. The chickens were to be fed at 9:30 PM. I believe this was a tactic for getting them into the coop for the night.
After dinner before I left, Maggie wanted to show me this chicken feeding routine, so we fed them a little early. She showed me the back hatch for collecting the eggs. When she opened the hatch, we were excited to see about 7 eggs. I would be taking some home for breakfast. I reached in to pick up two eggs. As I moved my hand out, I looked to the right and noticed a long black rope. Only, the rope moved.
I have a pathological fear of snakes. I cannot even touch a page in a book with a snake on it. This fear has no basis in logic. When Maggie was 3 years old, my mother and I took her to the zoo. I refused to go into the snake house. Maggie went along with my mother. When they returned, Maggie announced, “Mom, it’s OK. They’re all in cages!”
This moving black rope was in a chicken coop. The very one I had just stuck my hands into. I am proud that I did not drop the eggs or scream and run. I just walked away briskly saying, “That was a snake!” I have decided that I will leave the raising of chickens to friends and neighbors.
Reflections on the Teche 
My dad, now 82, was in charge of the family backyard chickens during the war. He hated them. in fact, he hated them so much we hardly ever ate chicken when I was growing up. We didn’t eat many eggs either. I don’t know if it was their behavior, the smell, or just their existence that troubled him, but chicken was a rarity in our house.
My brother, lover of all things, kept a pet chicken for years in the garage. We all loved her, giver of one egg each day! Finally he gave her up to an aunt’s flock. Sorry about the snake, but glad it didn’t get those eggs! It’s now okay to keep chickens (with lots of rules) in Denver (the back to farm movement), but I really don’t have a desire. I’ll find my fresh eggs in cartons at the Farmer’s market! You had a big time visiting your daughter, Margaret!
Chickens…fresh eggs. I loved your description about the long black rope and agree that I will leave it to someone else.
Yikes! You sound like you handled that VERY calmly!! You know I love chickens, so I enjoyed this post. 🙂
I am sure I would have dropped the eggs. I don’t mind snakes out in the grass but don’t want to deal with them. You were great and I agree let someone else raise the chickens.
Whew! I’m a city girl – eggs should come in cartons. Impressed that you kept your cool, Margaret!
[…] my students. We talked about what a Slice of Life story is by analyzing my post last week about the snake. The board was full of things they noticed, such as having a climax and resolution (Whoa, high […]