The Funny Farm: Adventures With Chickens 2

I think most chicken keepers have some pretty entertaining stories related to their flock: falls, injuries (their own, not their birds), encounters with predators, disputes with neighbours, birds in the house, lessons in DIY vet care and the list goes on.

Here’s a few stories to bring a smile to your face. Maybe they will inspire you to send me a story of your own to share.

BREAKING NEWS: Shreveport Police are in hot pursuit of two chickens

Racing northbound on Hearne Avenue. Authorities hope to question them to finally settle the age-old debate: Which came first—the chicken or the egg? Stay tuned!

My husband sent me this picture and says: “We need at least 20 more chickens.”

We already have 50 and are now building an egg stand. Who is this man and where is my husband? I’ve rubbed off on him a little too much. – Leaha Van De Velde

My chickens and I have had to have a negotiate a resolution to a conflict.

Generally, I do not collect eggs while the hens are present. If they see me taking their eggs, they get mad and hide them after that. The other day I totally cleaned out the nesting boxes in the middle of the day. The next day, there was not even one single egg in the nesting boxes. I believe they were laying them under the school bus.

The following day there were no eggs either. Day two of no eggs. On day three, there were still no eggs. I was irritated and stopped giving them treats. They still had their normal food but no apples, spring mix or juicy bugs. On day four they were still hidden their eggs, so that became Day 2 of no treats.

Today, I walked into the garage and all three nesting boxes are full of eggs. I guess we have settled the dispute. They are making so much noise right now. Weirdly after three years, I know what their sounds mean: they want their treats, and they want them right now. Their timing was good, today is hamburger day.

I will give them treats again, they’ll lay in the box again, and I promise to never ever collect eggs in the middle of the day again. At times, even the humans become “hen pecked”. – Julia Tanno

So it turns out being the most emotionally unstable chicken on the property has its perks! Guess who gets to come in and spend the next two days in the house so he doesn’t have a heart attack during the cyclone? Huey does! – Fluffybum Farm

Two days ago I finally finished staining my chicken’s coop upgrade. Yesterday was move-in day for them and last night I went into the coop to count and make sure they all made it into the new coop. I closed the door behind me because I didn’t want any chickens darting out since I was in their space. Unfortunately, the latch I put on the coop door is a fence latch, meaning it locked when the door closed. I locked myself in the chicken coop at 9:30 last night Thankfully, I took my phone with me for the flashlight to count and was able to call my mom for help. Guess I’ll be changing the latch on the door. – Ahmad Rifai

This little Miss Thang (Miss Dot) has been MIA for 2 days! I knew she was safe (she sleeps in our sunroom cause she’s a loner). But today I made it a mission to find her, scared she hadn’t come out to eat or drink and she’s no spring chicken at almost 8 years old! But none the less, found her in an old cabinet tucked away in her little nest she made out of fake flowers, Christmas tinsel and old newspapers! SMH!!! She will keep me on my toes until the bitter end, but she’s my baby always. – Janay Loper

No chickens were harmed in the making of this photo.

I walked out the other day to do a head count and was missing one of my Starlight green eggers. I looked EVERYWHERE for her and she was nowhere to be found. I started to think the worst because we have a few hawks regularly in our area. Then I heard rustling in the coop. Looked in, saw nothing… heard rustling again. I looked up and this is what I saw. This turd nugget managed to squeeze herself in between the tarp of the hoop coop and the chicken wire.

We have hardware mesh towards the bottom of the coop. That tarp was good and tight too. I had to cut it to free her. No injuries (just emotional trauma, I imagine). I was a hot mess until I realized that she was ok. I love her to death, but bless her heart, she’s not the brightest crayon in the box. – Tessa Caron

Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos. Featured photo: Mindy Anne