What is the norm?

It's getting closer to Spring! This morning I went out to the coop and said good morning to everyone. Twinkie went down the chickstairs right away, wide awake and ready to take on the day with full determination. Fuzztop stretched her legs a few times before going down the chickstairs. She stopped midway, looked at me, looked outside, all the while mumbling to herself. I know how she feels. PeeWee remained in her nest until I had refreshed their waterer then she came stumbling out for fresh water.  By the time I was done, they were all gathered around their feeder eating and talking, awake and seemingly happy and excited. I walked off and no one waved goodbye, teehee.

It is hard not to anthropomorphize these guys. Live with chickens and you find them closer cousins than chimp. I do almost expect them to wave goodbye. When I held a meeting with other chicken owners in the hood they all told stories like this. I loved that meeting, we spoke of our chickens and their behavior for two hours and nothing else. I felt more normal among them.

It has become quite normal to tell chicken stories, worry about them , think of them at the grocery store and want to pick up some oats or bananas for them. I know how happy PeeWee gets when there are bananas and why not make PeeWee happy. I know how Twinkie gets so excited when she sees a clove of garlic she forgets all etiquette and greedily snatches the clove from my fingers. She is pretty rude but I understand, it's like me with creme brulee-gimmee!

I find myself looking forward to the time I spend with them and trying to hear all they have to say.  They go out and catch a few bugs, eat a few blades of grass then they'll stop by and see me and walk on my shoes and request to be picked up. Once they are done greeting me they take off.  They're good people.