RicelandMeadows

A few pullets in the chicken yard

September 12, 2011

 

     These pullets are in training. Sounds kind of funny I guess, but it’s the truth. They must learn where their home is, where to roost and where to get feed and water. Once they get that all worked out, they can begin to free range.

 

     This cooped up part of their life is for their own safety and for my convenience. Without this short training period, they lay eggs anywhere they want, roost on equipment and other places where I don’t want. They can become real pests. They also need to get into the coop at night to be safe from marauding critters!

 

    They have already figured out to go in at night. They roost together on roost bars provided for that purpose and are starting to investigate the nest boxes. They should start laying very soon. I am glad, as I am on the second dozen of store-bought eggs and just plain don’t like them!

 

     I think of the training period much like what we did for our children. They were taught what was acceptable. They had to be in at night for their own safety. They needed just enough space to wander without getting into trouble. Then when they get let out into the world, they know where to come home, in times of trouble or need.

 

     I like to know that all my chicks are in the nest … even when that nest is located far from home. It is good to know that there is plenty of food and water there, along with the things that comfort them.

 

     I know that I can’t always be there, but I also know that once trained they will be OK by themselves. They will seek out safety. They will make their way in the world based upon the training they have gotten at home. They will be polite, yet wary. They will keep the values learned at home close at hand and hopefully the impact we have made will stay with them always … so far .. I can say that we are very proud of our brood.

 

     Fences and a short leash work some of the time, the trick is knowing when to let the leash out some. Independence is much better than rebellion and defiance. You can guide a little with the former… that rebellious stuff is the pits!  We had motorcycles and 4-wheelers that went on roads when they thought we didn’t know. We had some beer drank when it was thought they were out of sight. We had curfew violations and a few other things that tested the limits of the leash and the boundaries of the fence, but the fence held and the boundaries were respected.

 

     Our last chick just left the nest for good. He is out on his own and like the rest is making his way in the world. He had 6 others to watch and he learned a little from all of them. He took a little from each and is now on the way to set an example of his own. We are proud of our children and the examples they have set for our grandchildren. We take comfort and a little pride in all that they have done and are doing.

 

     They say good fences make good neighbors … but I can say that boundaries, well set, make for a great family….  Even if they do jump over every now and then 😮