If you have
been following this blog than you know that our two younger hens, Daisy2 and
MadeIt, have been free to roam about the property. Their choice, not ours.
Yesterday we put an end to that. We clipped their wings.
There is no
pain with this procedure and it is a relatively quick process. I held them
while Lynn cut off portions of their wings. We made this decision for sanity
and safety. Their coop is surrounded by a cage. Outside of the cage is a fenced
in area that is about 60’X60’. A good size for two hens. The issue is/was if
you didn’t want them to fly out; you had to keep them in the caged area which
was not pleasant for them at all. And I would hear about it. Believe me.
Once out,
they would ALWAYS head for the areas that were off limits. While amusing to no
end, it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage. I would feel horrible if
something were to happen to them. I have this extremely powerful protective
streak that covers all living creatures on our property. (well, maybe not all.
Many bugs are excluded from said protection)
So our
decision was a sound one. Better for them, better for us. We can manage when
they go out of their area. In the late spring when we begin planting we will
have them out with us in the field. We can keep an eye on them. Of course they
will assist with insect control and aerating the soil. No free rides on the
farm. J And
we will be careful not to allow them near seedlings to prevent damage from
digging or from eating them.
Although we
are justified for doing this, I couldn’t help but to feel sad. (A classic
example of “projecting” on my part.) Freedom and independence have always been at
the core of who I am. And I just took their freedom away. I feel like a jerk
and a hypocrite. I worked long and hard to reclaim my freedom. I will have to
work on reconciling this one.
Do you ever feel like
your wings have been clipped?
4 comments:
What will stop the chickens from eating the seeds as you plant them in the field? If I were a chicken, I'd be thinking "Oh, look! A buffet!" - Martha
Hi Martha,
Rest assured our feathered friends will not be allowed in the garden until the veggies are big enough to withstand the assault - despite any attempts by Nora to the contrary :)
So the real question is, now that they have lost their freedom, are they screaming at you on a regular basis? Or just giving you a sad, depressed look? :)
Definitely a lot of screaming and swearing. No passive, pathetic chicks here :)
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