Page 33 - Dec Banner 2017_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper December 2017 Page 33

by Christine Maccabee
since they, too, have their own she rallied to show her tough side,
stories to tell (note the word”story” I am told she is not coming out of
On The Wild Side every story is unique, though similar with the others. When I heard this, I
in the word “history”). However,
her new coop to forage free range
in that we all have happy times and
became very sad for my traumatized
sad partings, be it through death or
Yes, not all change is easy, so all
necessary changes. chicken.
Sending Little Blue off to a I can do is hope that Little Blue gets
My Last Chicken farm—run by a lady I will call “the stronger after trauma and works
through her changes, as must we all
chicken lady”—was no easy task,
but it was one of those necessary
suppose it is high time for me to get
changes. My Little Blue was more as we go through difficult times. I
“To everything turn, turn, turn, than a little blue here. In fact, she philosophical about it, according to
the writer of the Ecclesiastes quote,
was extremely lonely after the death
there is a season, turn, turn, turn, of her friend Big Red, with whom for as the seasons turn and change,
and a time for every purpose under heaven.” she felt safe. Then, after Red’s death, so must we all.
(Ecclesiastes) Little Blue became traumatized There are some things I can hold
when a hawk swooped down twice, onto, however, and those are the
getting close enough to swipe off love and the memories of my many
My last hen was a beautiful, hold them through the day. Then, a portion of her lovely red comb. birds over the years, and, of course,
little blue egg layer, an Auracana, before dark—and sometimes even After that frightening encounter, she the great blue eggs! So thank you
originally from South America. I in the dark—I had to slip and never went out of her coop again. I Little Blue, good luck, and I will
acquired her four years ago, along slide down the hill to close their knew it was time for a big change. miss you.
with two other larger hens of a hatchway door to keep them safe And what a change it was, both
different genetic heritage, whose from predators. Now, that was happy and unhappy. At the chicken Note: Good News! The latest update
large brown eggs I enjoyed until roughing it! My chickens learned lady’s farm, Little Blue was greeted is that my last chicken, Little Blue, is
they both died, leaving me one to rough it, too, with no electricity; with some bullying from the top now learning the ropes and getting
last unhappy hen: Little Blue. As cold oatmeal from yesterday’s dogs (I mean chickens!). Although outside with the other chickens!
I always say, people need other breakfast; any greens I had on hand;
people, and the same goes for and, sometimes, leftover spaghetti
chickens. Chickens need other (without the sauce) made their day. Christine is a Master Naturalist in Maryland and has developed a
chickens. Of course, I always had to refresh Wildlife Habitat Sanctuary and Native Plant Preserve on her property,
So began my long journey of their feeder with sunflower seeds, just 10 minutes north of Thurmont. You are welcome to visit by
finding an adequate new home for corn, and other feed. The rewards appointment. She can be reached by email at [email protected].
Little Blue, as I called her. It was for all our efforts were beautiful
not a particularly difficult decision eggs and great manure for the
to discontinue raising chickens, gardens!
especially with a hard winter Those last three hens were not
coming. My chicken coop is way my only chickens by far. My history
down the hill in my main veggie with chickens and roosters—and
garden; many a winter, I have had mallard ducks—is long and varied,
to push through deep snow, sleet, with lots of drama, especially
and rain to let the girls out. They when the black snakes visited.
always wanted to go out, no matter Unfortunately, I cannot go into all of
the weather, and were healthier for the stories I have concerning them,
it, as was I. I also had to make sure as that would take a Chicken ‘n
frozen drinking water was emptied Duck Tale book, and I figure such a
and replaced with warm water to book would bore other bird people

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