On Automatic Pilot

With Coop Door Open

While I don’t recommend it as a way of life – and I’m sure the chickens agree – our flock does very well without farmer intervention, at least for short periods of time.  This morning (Saturday) was the first day since Wednesday that I’ve been to the coop to check on those girls and, lest you worry… they are all fine.  I think.  It was still dark and I had forgotten a flashlight.

Though the black rooster was announcing the day already, he had not yet led the parade out of the coop and into the run.  That seems to be the routine every day and, even though the coop door has remained open, the light level apparently had not yet reached the lumins (or whatever they are) that he feels is safe for making the day’s entrance to the greater world.

The white rooster was silent for as long as I was doing my due diligence.  He usually doesn’t start crowing until the sun is actually peeking over the Willapa Hills – something about the trust factor that the day is really beginning in earnest.  He defers to the black rooster in all aspects of flock management and fowl courtship – even takes a place in line among the girls when exiting the coop.  I’ve never seen him come out first or second or even last.  Usually third or fourth.

Today’s Bounty

There were eight eggs waiting for me in the south nest box, at least as far as I could tell.  (That’s the nest box of preference lately, though there are two others equally outfitted. Go figure.) I had to go by touch, and pretty hesitantly at that.  Those girls sometimes leave behind more than eggs among the cedar shavings and, without the benefit of light, gathering eggs can be a little tricky.  Also, I’m sure that Ms. Crazy Hen has probably left one or two eggs on the coop floor or in the run.  I’ll be going back down there in a few minutes to see what I can see – with a little help from my friend the sun.

Farmer Nyel

But the point is… (if you knew Gordon Schoewe, that phrase should be wonderfully familiar…) those chickens, as far as I could see, did just fine without being worried by unnecessary Farmer Fussing.  As long as they can get out of the coop and into the run for access to water and back into the coop for access to food and to the nest boxes, and as long as the gate to the outside world is closed and their parameters secured by strong fencing… those girls are perfectly fine on their own for a day or two.

But I don’t really recommend that as a way of life for chickens.  They need their primary caregiver and, in lieu of that, the Farmer’s Wife is acceptable.  Barely.  (Farmer Nyel’s physical therapy begins February 8th.  I hope the first lesson is titled “How to Get Safely to The Coop and Back.”)

2 Responses to “On Automatic Pilot”

  1. maggie says:

    Tag that photo of Nyel for you-know-what

  2. Beautiful Cuz O’ Mine! All this week I’ve missed your blog because of having surgery on my hand and not handily able to type! Surgery went well; hand is fixed and today I got to play catch-up (or is that ketchup?) (any relationship?) and OH, what a banquet or verbal delight. Thank you, Darlin’ for the continuing pleasure of staying abreast with The Times of the Peninsula, chiefly Oysterville! Love to you and the Gentleman!!! KK

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