After such strange and unseasonable weather this winter, I was anxious to see how the chickens responded to the recent snow. After all, it's been a LONG time since these chickens have seen measurable snow! These chickens came to the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm last November as day-old chicks, and didn't venture outside until February. Even if they did experience snow last season, does a chicken have a long term memory? Hmmm.
I wondered if the chickens would be excited ... like my children who love to play outside until I fear for their extremities. Of if they would be exuberant ... like my dogs who run like crazy whenever it snows. Or if they would be confused ... like my cat on the day I carried him to a patch of snow on the back porch (he looked really interested from inside the house, and I thought I'd broaden his horizons).
I didn't imagine that the chickens would be too "chicken" to even venture outside. Sheesh. If you look closely at the picture above, you might see a chicken barely peeking outside at the snow. 165 chickens, and zero footprints on the very shallow snow outside their door. I've since learned that this is typical for chickens, and that they wait for humans to shovel a path for them through the snow. Not a bad gig.
It's hard for me to judge the chickens for their dislike of snow, because it's not too far removed from my own feelings. My family will affirm that I too mostly wait for others to shovel the snow. Like the chickens, I would rather be toasty warm inside during a cold wintery day instead of trudging through the snow. This reminds me that I need to give Logan Beausoleil credit for venturing out to see what the chickens were doing in the snow, and taking this picture. Because I was too chicken. And forgot my snow boots.
Whether they're enjoying this weather or not -- the chickens are working hard to produce lots of tasty organic eggs. If you're the sort who loves the snow, hike/ski/sled to the Prairie Crossing Long Barn during daylight hours and purchase some. Or send your friend. Although I forgot my snow boots yet again, I will head outside to purchase eggs tonight. They are absolutely worth it!
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