Someone asked me awhile ago. Why do you like your chickens so much? I quickly answered, in a joking way, “because they can’t kill me like a horse can.” We both laughed because we thought I was kidding, but over time I’ve been pondering what I said, and I’ve realized that it is the truth!

I can enter into the flock, feel their energy, sit down among them and relax. I can just be there with no fear that they may step on my foot, or get into a fight with each other and run me over like the horses can. They may jump up on my lap, or if I’m sitting on the ground they may walk on my legs, and peck at anything that looks like food on my feet. But they really can’t hurt me, even accidentally!

When I walk out to the barn at any time of the day, they run to greet me. No matter what kind of a day I’m having, when they come running I just have to laugh and smile at my tiny little raptors. They follow me around with the hope that I’m heading to their treat bin.

I wish you could hear them, feel their happy energy, and experience their joy. It’s like being in a clump of puppies, waiting for their next adventure.

I still love my horses, and I always will be a horse person. I love going into the pasture, touching them, sharing space with them and being absorbed into their herd. But, when I feel vulnerable, or a little tired, I have found my chickens to be a place of rest and peace. Plus they give me mighty fine eggs to eat!