Winter

Winter

Monday, February 13, 2012

Just Chickens Today

You have all been very patient with my addiction, love for chickens. I admit to thinking I had perfect chickens. As chickens go there is very little fighting that goes on in my chicken coop. They are very sociable chickens and like to stay with me where ever I am. I have a terrible deed to tell of my chickens and this is not for the faint of heart.
 These little chickens are innocent and not involved in the story at all. I just liked the picture. I don't think these guys would do what happened the other day in my coop.
I hate to admit this to you, but I am terrified of mice. Sasha knows when I scream that I have just seen a mouse or a leaf or a piece of paper, being so scared of mice, I scream at anything that moves. This winter I had some field mice move in to my coop. Now they are fat and healthy and imagine a circle with a tail and cute little ears. They are tiny about the size of a silver dollar. That is how I thought I would draw them if I ever drew a picture because they are cute. Except, for my fear.
I have a small chicken feeder and the field mice fill it up with dirt in the bottom I think they want to make a house in it so every time I feed I lift it up and knock the dirt out. Sometimes I see a mouse and drop it and run and sometimes I don't.
The other day, I lifted the feeder and a mouse just sat there, quick as a wink, one of the hens ran over and snapped that mouse right up in her beak. I was so shocked. Mortified is a better word. They began to play chicken football with the mouse. It squeaked. I will stop right there as it was graphic. I left. I just walked away so I have no idea what happened, but of course, having a good imagination I have a idea.

I thought it was a total fluke. I didn't think it would happen again. Until Saturday when I was cleaning and rearranging my chicken pen and came across another mouse. This time there was no hesitation. They went for it. I guess they like chicken football.
So now I am feeling sort of sick about my perfect chickens. I know what this means they need protein. I am at a loss though to figure out in what form. Milk maybe or cheese. So if any of my chicken owning friends have any ideas I would appreciate it. With the new chicks coming in May, I do not want the new girls learning such a terrible habit.
It is Monday again, I hope you have good start to this new week. We have a lovely rainy day. We have had so few this year, this one is such a treat. It smells like spring outside. I have decided I just have to accept that winter is over for us. Our almond tree started blooming on Saturday, the rest of the trees are soon to follow.
Thanks for stopping by today,
~Kim~

25 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i knew they'd go after the mice! :)

Empty Nester said...

Oh my. Chicken mouse ball. This one had me chuckling (not clucking) at visualizing you running away screaming- just like what I do when I even think I see a snake! It also had me thinking, 'Ew, gross.' And maybe even, "Aw, how cute" in regards to how you would draw them. Hey, maybe the chickens sense your fear and they are just protecting you! That's what I've decided. And I'm sticking with it!

myletterstoemily said...

oh! i've been feeling a bit blue and wasn't able
to pinpoint the source. i've been missing your
chickens!!!! :)

seriously, they are beautiful.

Sue said...

After reading this fun post, I am having a fun day, I laughed all the way through it Kim, and give those girls an extra bonus today for getting rid of those mice,as I think they are tops on my list of "not likes'. I am as petrified of them as you are, I can tolerate snakes, hawks, fox, coyotes , even bears more than a mouse. Do you hear me cheering them on? "you go girls".
This reminds me of the time I opened up a bag of sunflower seeds at the barn and a mouse jumped on my chest! Needless to say I almost fainted.
Enjoy your day,
love,
Sue

Kim said...

I know that a kind, sensitive person would be thinking "Oh, poor mouse" But not me. I'm laughing - hard. (I feel a little bad but am terrified of mice) I am picturing your own little Super Bowl game out there. Next time a match breaks out you should start singing like Madonna - you could be the half time show!!
I'll gonna be picturing this ALL DAY

Jacque. said...

I'm not thinking 'poor mouse', nor am I cheering the girls on. I am too busy trying to get rid of the pictures. ick! Anyway. Thanks for sharing, Kim. No, really, I mean that. Never had a clue that chickens did that.

Jacque. said...

the pictures in my head, that is. Just in case you wondered what pictures? I didn't see any pictures. hahahaha.

Nellie said...

How funny to read this, Kim! It sounds as though the chickens are better "mousers" than a cat would be.:-)
There have been times that I have thought I'd like some chickens; however, the code for our sub-division doesn't allow them. Our "country girl" daughter tried her hand with chickens, but would you believe a yearling bear cub helped himself!! So long, chickens!:-(
Have a good day with the rain.

Alica said...

My chickens do the same thing with mice...I think it's just as natural to them as a cat catching a mouse. The first time I saw it, though, I was so surprised!

Alica said...

http://happilymarriedtothecows.blogspot.com/2011/05/of-mice-and-hen.html

Kim...here's the link...I caught it on camera! :)

Wonky Girl said...

Ugh, mine do the same. I was shocked the first time I saw them playing football with a tiny mouse.
But it's a good environmental way to be rid of coop mice.
LOL

Julia said...

Oh this post is too funny. Your hens playing mice football. I think that they are very smart chickens to defend their territory and are doing you a favor by keeping the rodents in check. Yes mice are cute but they still are a pest.

I'm so glad that you are seeing signs of spring. I WANT SPRING here too right now... JB

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Ewwwwwwwwwww, I react the same way that you do when I see/hear mice. All I can say is that I wouldn't have hung around long enough to have seen which your chickens did with that mouse.

no spring chicken said...

Oh dear Kim. Need I remind you that your chickens are what drew me to your post in the first place. I was in love with the beauties following you around your lovely yard. I'm not sure what to think now... ;)

Of course if you could get past the horror, you could see this as a provision in the way of getting rid of the cute little pests... if you could get past the horror... :)

Blessings, Debbie

Miss Debbie said...

oh my goodness....such vicious chickens! ha! ha!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Your chicks should be gettin' plenty of protein in the feed ration your feedin'.

A chicken will grab up mice, small snake and lizards and play chicken football. Woohoo..the life of a chicken!

God bless ya and have a beautiful week!!!

Christine said...

I'm sorry to chuckle but this was comic - I just read your last post which I missed til now and I'm now thinking the chicken have some kind of 'horror' complex!
I've been told the same thing -
i think too much and have an overly active imagination - you are not alone - and it's not just a male horror!

Homeschool on the Croft said...

I'm going with Empty Nester's theory. Yep... and sticking with it.
(I had a good laugh reading that ;)

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kim, Well it could be worse, the mice could be starting a colony in your coop. Hubby and I had chickens(actually they all ended up being roosters so didn't last)when we were first together and one night we saw mice jumping out of their feeder. Ours didn't eat them but about that time we decided to get rid of them. I don't like mice or rats and would take snakes over them. Hope you figure out how to make them stay away.
Hugs, Noreen

Will and Tracy said...

Kim, I too am terrified of mice, if I thought a mouse was going to pop out of the feeder, you wouldn't ever get me to touch the feeder. As for the protein, I follow a facebook page of Feathered Friends of Southern Oklahoma and these people are hardcore chicken owners. They said regarding the protein the you can feed them goat ration, dog food or sheep ration. I feed mine calf creep feed or dog food. All of these are about 21 to 22 percent protein. It's cheaper than cheese. I have been praying today for your headache. I love you.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh I am laughing at those chickens Kim! I think they are just busy being 'chickens'... how insulting though, that they would actually DO the things that chickens tend to do! :) I guess no chicken is worthy of being blameless. 'Chicken football'... I have to smile. Sorry. I think your chickens are teaching all of us...

Jennifer said...

My cherry blossoms are coming out... It is hard to be mad at winter when cheery spring is looking me square in the eye! I've enjoyed the rain today too! Still am :)

Florence said...

Oh those chickens! Just keep the good thoughts about the eggs you are getting from those girls! Farm Girl Hugs! Florence

Pom Pom said...

Chicken football. Yikes!
Your chickens are handsome (and pretty!)
I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day, Sweetie Pie!

Nancy said...

I am still laughing...just seeing those chickens play football with a mouse....Next time you need to take a picture.....

I am with the others, let the chickens take care of the mice do they do snakes?

I love your chicken stories...you could be a stand up comic....