Re: pictures (a parable of freedom)

[Guest guest]

Deanna:

Weds. I let the chickens outside for the first time. They're about 4

weeks old, and the weather was beautiful. I thought it was time to

open the little door to their coop and let them forage in their yard.

I made all secure, then stood back in the coop to watch. There wasn't

much interest in the outdoors, especially in comparison to the

feeder. Occasionally a New Hampshire ( " live free or die! " ) Red would

stick his nose out, then withdraw it. I thought they'd figure it out

eventually, so I left to do other work.

About an hour later, I returned to check, Occasionally a bird would

make it out briefly to the landing at the top of their ramp, then go

inside. But no interest in a beautiful sunny day...except to enjoy

the sun from inside the door.

I got disgusted, and initiated force; I startled 2 chickens out the

door, then pushed them off the deck.

I went outside to watch. The chickens (a Black Australorp and some

yellowish bird) just stood there. They really didn't know what to

make of their new surroundings. After awhile they wandered under the

henhouse where they stood and picked casually at the ground. They

ignored their brothers 2 feet away. At one point the Australorp flew

up in search of a roost, but hit the bottom of the henhouse. I poked

them with a shovel handle towards the ramp, and went away. When I

returned they were back under the house again. Since I had to leave

for work, I caught them in a net and returned them to their friends,

knocking down one wall of the yard in the process. Then I closed the

door. The chickens looked wistfully at the crack of daylight, and

pecked at the door. They'll get another chance Saturday, and

hopefully they'll venture out.

--

Quick, USUM (ret.)

www.en.com/users/jaquick

Term limits: one term in office, one term in jail.-- Wolfe.