Special Attachment

One of the first observations my daughter made about our new chickens was, "They're not very cuddly." This is true. Regardless of our efforts to gain their affections, the only loyalty these birds hold is to security. It just so happens that our neighbors have a patch of yard overgrown with weeds and tall branches, and evidently our birds find more security in the jungle than in the trim, cat infested yard of our enthusiastic dog.

Not ones to give up, we have been reduced to begging them to come in. Roosting on the high concrete wall that divides our yard from our neighbors, they watch as I make funny calls and tempt them with food. Sometimes they take the bait, but often they are just amused to be out of reach. They are their own birds.

All the effort is worth it. They are beautiful, and their habits are stunning. The rooster does funny little dances around then hen, the way he works his feathers is spectacular. I never knew before having our own, that every rooster has his own crow. We can hear ours as he travels around in the weeds. As for our little black hen, she is iridescent and demure. The pair have certainly gained a spot in our hearts, even if they don't stay in our yard.