Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Chicken Whisperer

This is Crossbill. Such a creative  name.  Crossbill started out just like all the other cute chicks but her bill did not grow correctly. If you look closely you can see her bottom beak is way off to the side. Poor Crossbill, there is no orthodontia for chickens. I was worried that she would have trouble eating but she has managed nicely, and out of all my chickens, she is the one with the most personality.
Every day when we go out to gather the eggs, Crossbill escapes the coop. We used to fight it but she learned to get past us so effectively that now we just stand aside and let her out.  She likes her daily patrol of the garden. When she wants to go back in, she has taken to wandering up to the house and sometimes looking in the screen door if the the inner door is open. It's her way of letting us know that it's time for her to go home.  I'm posting this even though the sunflowers have been knocked down and eaten by the squirrels and the yard is a mess. The coop isn't one of those fancy schmancy chicken condos you see around blogland. Shoot me. Life is like that.
She cracks me up.  In this instance she decided to take a little look-see out behind the coop before heading inside. She has us trained, and even though she hasn't laid an egg in weeks, what am I gonna do? She's too cute and I'm sure she will redeem herself in the egg laying department soon.  Don't the underdogs (underchickens?) always steal your heart?

27 comments:

  1. If one could actually love a chicken, I'd pick this one. This is adorable!! Who knew they were like kittehs and dogs? This was an absolute delight. Hugs. Tammy

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  2. God Bless her little chicken heart!

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  3. So cute Kathy! I love the video..

    xo,

    annie

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  4. Oh that is just too cute and sweet! I love it! I have always wanted some chickens...maybe one day!

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  5. What a little sweetie! If I had chickens I would want them to have such cute personalities. Loved seeing her walk back into the coop - with a bit of wander along the way!
    ~Adrienne~

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  6. Kathy, you are such a trend setter. Everyone has furbabies, now everyone will want featherbabies!

    I saw a chicken coop recently done up in shabby chic with a real chandelier inside but nothing says chicken like a cute little red barn!

    You go Crossbill!

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  7. Oh Kathy, she is so cute!! :o) Our three have slowed down in their egg laying (by a long shot) also. It feels strange thinking we may need to buy eggs when we have chickens. :o)
    Have a great day!!
    Sincerely - Trish

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  8. What a sweetie she is! Love seeing the video!

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  9. Cute.ness. They do steal our hearts. I enjoy visiting our hens.
    Ours take laying breaks sometimes too.
    Becky K.

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  10. Haha!!! She is funny!
    I see your grass is green...ours is dead!
    This a.m. I went to the back door to find our hen and rooster peeping in. They had gotten out somehow. I scooped the bad boy rooster up and we went into middle boy's room to wake him. He is the keeper of the coop around here. He was so shocked to see they were out and the rooster really enjoyed the home tour.

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  11. Kathy..crossbill is a keeper!!

    So cute..and what memories ya'll will have of her.

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  12. OMGosh...that is too cute. My hubby wants to get a few chickens...give me some pointers please !

    Janet xox

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  13. As soon as I saw your post on your chicken "Crossbill" I began trying to figure out how I could have a Chicken! Of course, I KNOW that having chickens is probably not allowed in my area...still..I wonder if I could get by with it. I mean it's NOT a horse or a cow for pity sakes. I have birds..and is this not a BIRD?! I just WANT A CHICKEN FOR HEAVENS SAKES! I think I am going to picket City Hall. What do you think! :(

    I love your chicken..."Crossbill"...

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  14. You should go to my blog and click on the Coop Keeper on my favorites list...Shes a chick chick too

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  15. Hey Kathy!

    Crossbill is adorable - sweet and a little sassy too! Love the video! Funny to be smiling at a beak-challenged chicken on a video shot by a friend of mine whom I've never met from 1200 miles away at 8:45 in the evening on a Thursday...I need a life! ;o) Actually, these snippets of real life are my favorite thing about Blogland...the little shared pieces of our human experience that bind us all together...

    Thanks for sharing your life...it just made mine that much sweeter!

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Becky

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  16. She is a sweetheart and so cool! At least you have a coop and chickens.
    Deb :)

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  17. awwww, bless her little chicken heart. Sounds like her...chicken lips haven't bothered her too much..she seems to have the run of the place. hahhhaaa...how cute she is.

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  18. awwww, bless her little chicken heart. Sounds like her...chicken lips haven't bothered her too much..she seems to have the run of the place. hahhhaaa...how cute she is.

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  19. This is just too, too cute! Long live Crossbill!

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  20. Ok....now I officially want some chickens! It was wonderful hearing your voices too Kathy!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  21. Absolutely. love. this. She has stolen my heart for sure! I just love how our animals (and fowl) have such personalities. God certainly must have had fun making His creation! Have a great day, Kathy!

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  22. LOL! She's like a dog! So cute! Perfect name for her! I loved seeing bits of your yard. Is that a greenhouse in the back in the beginning? I'd love a tour and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

    Manuela

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  23. Why, she has to have a sparkly personality to make up for her "handicap" like most all of us do!
    Brenda

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  24. How adorable, I didn't know that they could be trained that way. This one stole my heart for sure.
    Karen

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  25. Hi Kathy
    That is so cute!
    Yes I was very lucky to be able to go to Penny's brunch. I saw the adorable heart pillow with the house that you made for her. It looked perfect sitting on the bench at the foot of her bed.I'd love to meet you one day too! Maybe we will!
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  26. Good Morning Kathy.
    I had to come back to this post and show my husband. :o)
    We both love your chicken coop and Crossbill. :o) She is precious. :o)
    Have a great day.
    Sincerely - Trish

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)