Once upon a time, in a quaint little farm nestled in the countryside, there lived a mischievous and adventurous Buff Orpington hen named Buffy. She was no ordinary chicken; Buffy had a personality that was larger than life and a penchant for getting into all sorts of trouble. She had a unique belief that she was not just a chicken but a human trapped in a feathery body. Buffy’s escapades were legendary among the farm animals and human residents. She would often wander off on her own, exploring every nook and cranny of the farm, much to the dismay of her owner, Tara.
One sunny afternoon, while Tara was busy tending to her garden after making a batch of soap, Buffy seized the opportunity to embark on another one of her daring adventures. Unbeknownst to Tara, Buffy had managed to sneak inside the farmhouse through an open door. The tantalizing scent of something new and intriguing had lured her in. As she made her way through the house, her curiosity led her to the kitchen, where she discovered a butterfly mould filled with a strange, gooey substance – raw soap batter. Intrigued by the texture and smell, Buffy couldn’t resist the temptation. She pecked at the soap batter, savouring the unusual taste. Little did she know, consuming raw soap batter was not only unappetizing but also incredibly dangerous. Meanwhile, Tara had finished her gardening and returned to the farmhouse, only to find Buffy missing. Panic set in as she searched high and low, calling out for her beloved chicken.
As she entered the kitchen, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Buffy perched on the countertop, feathers covered in soap batter, chicken tracks on the floor, and beak marks in the mould. And worst of all, tiny chicken tracks alongside the larger ones, which meant Buffy had brought Lil Bit, her only chick, along for the adventure. Tara’s initial fear quickly turned into terror as she realized her beloved chicken and her baby might have to be put down, for raw soap batter contains active lye and causes extreme chemical burns. Buffy, oblivious to the chaos she had caused, looked at Tara with her beady green eyes, as if to say, “What’s the big fuss? I was just exploring!”
With a broken heart, Tara carefully picked up Buffy and Lil Bit and carried them outside, where she gently washed away the soap batter from their feathers. She isolated them inside with only water to flush their systems, and watched carefully for any signs that her girls were suffering, determined to end it if the worst happened. A day went by. Then two, then five, then ten. And… nothing. Not so much as a burn or blister. Tara checked their feet, and mouths, for any sign of damage and found none. Lye can take up to 48 hours to really start doing damage, so after day ten Tara finally was able to sigh in relief and hope things were going to be okay.
From that day forward, Tara made sure to keep a watchful eye on Buffy, knowing that her mischievous nature could lead her into unexpected situations. Despite the occasional scare, including eating ant bait and getting caught in a mouse trap, Buffy stayed true to her adventurous spirit. She continued to explore the farm, always finding new corners to investigate and new surprises to uncover. As time went on, Buffy’s escapades became legendary among the farm animals. The other chickens admired her fearlessness and often gathered around her to hear tales of her daring adventures.
Buffy had become somewhat of a folk hero, a symbol of courage and curiosity. Tara, too, had grown to appreciate Buffy’s unique personality. While she still worried about her mischievous chicken, she couldn’t help but admire her spirit and zest for life. Buffy had taught her to embrace the unexpected and find joy in the little moments of chaos.
One day, as Buffy strutted around the farm, her golden feathers shimmering in the sunlight, she came across a group of young chicks. They looked up to her with wide eyes, eager to hear stories of her adventures. Buffy, always happy to share her tales, gathered the chicks around her and regaled them with stories of sneaking into the farmhouse, eating soap batter, and all the other misadventures she had experienced. The young chicks listened intently, their imaginations running wild with visions of their own daring escapades.
Inspired by Buffy’s tales, they vowed to follow in her footsteps and explore the world around them. And so, Buffy’s legacy lived on, not just in the memories of her naughty deeds but also in the hearts of those she had inspired. Her spirit of adventure and her belief that she was more than just a chicken had left an indelible mark on the farm and its inhabitants.
As the years passed, Buffy grew older, her feathers losing their lustre, but her spirit remained as vibrant as ever. She continued to explore, albeit at a slower pace, and her presence brought joy and laughter to all who knew her. In the end, Buffy’s misadventure with the raw soap batter became a cherished memory, a reminder of the joy and unpredictability that life can bring. And though she may have scared Tara to death that day, the love and bond between them only grew stronger, a testament to the resilience of their friendship. So, if you ever find yourself on a farm, keep an eye out for a mischievous Buff Orpington named Buffy. She may just inspire you to embrace your own sense of adventure and find joy in the unexpected.
True story. I can finally laugh about it now, but it made me sick for months.
P.S. Just the other day, Buffy got onto the counter and wrapped up in fly paper. I got her untangled, but the glue wouldn’t come out easily and so now she has a ring of dirt around her neck. I’m going to use some coconut oil later tonight to try to remove it.
Guest contributor Tara Lynn Miller is a crazy chicken mom and full time soap maker in North Carolina, USA.
Many thanks to Tara for sharing her story and photos, used with permission. Featured image: Vector Stock
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