tending to the chickens

It is a still and chilly afternoon, here in Rhode Island. The sky is gray and the chickens refuse to come out of the coop. There is a blanket of snow covering where they usually range. In better weather, they'd be scratching throughout the garden, in search of insects and tasty little bits of leaves.

I keep chickens (4 hens and 1 rooster) because I am keen on cooking with the freshest of eggs. I have a passion for growing our own fruits and veggies, so the chickens are a great fit. Lifting a few warm eggs from a nest box in the morning is a wonderful start to the day!

Over the years, the chickens have proven to be a great asset to me as a gardener as well. They are bantam hybrids; miniature chickens. Their feet are small and gentle to the plants. They fluff the mulch, aerate the soil and rid the garden of some of the nastiest of pests; japanese beetles, for one.

They are comical companions in the garden too. Whenever a new hole is dug, they are never too far away. They insist on inspecting each hole, no matter how large, for bugs before any plant goes in!

During winter, I supplement their grains with fresh fruits, veggies, shredded mozzarella cheese and cooked fish. Sardines are a staple, but they relish the leftover salmon and swordfish whenever it is available. They need extra protein during the lean months as the worms slumber underground.

For now, well fed, they'd rather fluff their feathers and settle into a fresh bit of straw for a snooze.