Animals discern quicker than people because they ain’t impressed by nothing but your spirit. You can walk up to a dog with a Gucci collar or a ponytail hanging on by hope. If your energy ain’t right, that dog will back up like you just said “Let’s talk about student loans.”
But when your heart is good when your intentions are pure, when you love without agenda animals lean in. They relax. They trust you. They see the “you” beneath the makeup, the clothes, the titles and all the reinvention you’re doing. They don’t see what you’ve survived, they just see your soul’s temperature.
And what does that say? It says that Love is felt, not performed. Energy don’t lie. Your spirit speaks louder than your mouth ever will. Even a creature with no words can recognize truth. And tenderness is universal language. The wild part is humans will miss red flags waving like a Beyoncé concert. But an animal? That baby will know on sight if you’re safe or sketchy. So honestly, let it be a compliment. If animals love you, trust you and run toward you, it means your spirit is giving sunshine. Your heart is handing out softness. You are, without saying a word, broadcasting “you’re safe here”. – Dr Shanta Quilette
This is Fred, they suffered some brain damage from a raccoon fight a couple years ago and survived, but now her remaining two brain cells are fighting for third place. My daughter is absolutely obsessed with her and brings Fred everywhere. They’re little besties – Franki Wilkinson
My boys and I were sitting at the kitchen table when we heard a little knocking at the sliding glass door to the backyard. It was 8:30 PM here in the Midwest. The sun had just set. One of my little red chickens who is about 3 1/2 months old was knocking at the door to tell me that the timer closed their door to the coop. She was extremely mad at me that the door closed and asked me to take her down to the coop to let her back in. Eight of the ten chickens were in the coop and the other two got locked out. She came to knock my back door to let me know the coop was locked. .Are you kidding me? I had no idea chickens were that smart. It made me giggle – Amy Kimball Anderson
Y’all we have had a terrible few weeks. My one-year old spent 24 hours in the hospital via ambulance due to stopping breathing from croup. Then we had a terrible fire where our sheds exploded and our house started melting a few days ago. We lost so much. And then my children both have a staph infection (impetigo) diagnosed today. After all that and feeling defeated, I opened up my coop and found our first egg! It’s so weird how much that lifted my spirits – Unknown
Boo is my special needs girl due to a faulty incubator run. It took me a while to figure her out. I got frustrated, irritated. Why did this baby always want to be around me, and yet every time I touched her would bite and kick? She didn’t like the camera in her face today, so you get a photo respectful of her needs this afternoon. And then one day I took a video and just sat there and watched it over and over. I saw her jump into my lap and I saw it. She jumped into my lap and cocked her head, an ask. She wanted something. I put my hand close and she pulled her head back and turned red, a warning. As I watched my hand run down her back, I saw her skin twitch. I was hurting her. And I was bitten.
I used to work with horses and at-risk kids. I know the signals. I just didn’t expect to see them in a chicken. I went back outside and she ran over and hopped up into my lap, cocking her head at me. Usually kids with touch sensitivities cannot handle light touch. So I grabbed her around the middle and hugged her to my side tightly. She gave a huge sigh, snuggled in, and went to sleep. Soon after she woke up and cocked her head at me. I let go. She moved to my knee and settled down for a visit.
Boo doesn’t speak my language. She has different needs. She’s not even the same species, but she deserves dignity. I can show her respect. I can give her what she needs without making fun of her or hurting her. And in return for basic care for her specific needs, she gives me love. She gives me trust. She adds meaning to my life. – Green Grables Farm
My favourite thing about keeping chickens is not the “free” eggs, although those are a delicious perk. My favourite thing about chickens are the experiences and companionship they provide. Being out in the fresh air and just watching my flock chase bugs and scratch in the dirt is my own form of therapy. No matter how awful the day has been, these silly little birds are always a bright spot. Each of the 46 hens and four roosters in my flock have their own names and their own personality. They’ve all got their own silly little quirks and goofy habits and know just how to enrich my life. Caring for them and sharing them with all of you gives each day a little bit of purpose.
Life is hard. There are days where it feels as though nothing really matters much at all. There are days where I’d rather just stay in bed and mope, but even on the hard days my flock needs me. They need someone to open their doors, fill their feeders, and make sure that they’re safe and healthy. Even on the days where everything sucks these goofy little critters give me a sense of purpose. They’re worth so much more to me than free eggs and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share each day with all of them. – Chicken Schmidt Farm
Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos. Featured photo: Unknown.
“Because every flock has a story — and a little attitude.”
Bitchin' Chickens 
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