Chickens in Springtime

The young rooster once assigned to the fenced coop ranges freely about the farm.

We've been enjoying glorious spring weather of late; however, this weekend has been hot. Not all of us are faring as well as the chickens. They know to take dirt baths in the shade when they need a break from feasting and foraging about the farm.

A hen works at preparing a new garden bed.

In addition to feeding themselves, they are also helping turn the newest garden-beds-in-the-making, roughing up and turning in the fresh compost around established plantings, and keeping the worm population in check. Of course, the latter is a "service" they perform for their own benefit, as we would rather have the worms available to work the earth as well.

This worm escaped detection by working beneath a planter/shield.

The young rooster that we assigned to the chicken coop area is strutting his stuff without incurring the wrath of PrettyBoy, the rooster at the top of the pecking order. I enjoy seeing his gleaming red plumage; there's something rather spectacular in his youthful presentation. We hope he can continue to coexist beside PrettyBoy. The enclosure around the coop keeps predators out, but the chickens clear it with ease and return only to sample fresh layer mash, or to lay or set upon eggs.

The young roo supervises his companion hens.

Although the clarity of recent photos suffers because most are taken when I'm not wearing glasses and so I am not seeing images clearly before shooting pictures, I do hope the general idea of the colors and shape of life on the farm can be enjoyed by others.