Introduction: The Accidental Chicken Enthusiast
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d become emotionally invested in a group of feathery-egg-producing little creatures, I would have laughed. Yet, here I am, knee-deep in the world of backyard chicken keeping, a world filled with joy, drama, and the occasional tragedy. What started as a casual hobby quickly turned into a full-fledged adventure—one that taught me more about loss, resilience, and survival than I ever expected. And, of course, it also provided an endless supply of entertainment. Because let’s face it, chickens are absolutely ridiculous.
Why Chickens? A Lesson in Simplicity
People often dismiss chickens as simple, feathered-eating machines with tiny brains, but pretty good at producing eggs. But after spending time with them, I’ve realized that chickens have life all figured out. While we humans sprint through life, overwhelmed with deadlines, overcomplicating even the most basic decisions, and worrying about things we can’t control, chickens live by a different philosophy: rise with the sun, contribute to the community by daily offerings of free-range organic eggs, explore all day long, eat and drink whenever they feel like it, then head back to the safety and comfort of the hen house before dark, and repeat. Profound wisdom, really.
I knew absolutely nothing about chickens before I decided to get some. But that didn’t stop me. Armed with books, a ridiculous number of YouTube videos, and boundless enthusiasm, I went for it. And thus, my chicken journey began.
Meet KFC: The Fabulous Trio
Determined to have pure-breed chickens, I set my sights on Silkies because, let’s be honest, they look absolutely fabulous. Enter Fluffly (white), Kitty (black), and Candy (ginger)—altogether known as KFC. Yes, the irony of the name did not escape me.
Of course, chickens need a home, so I ordered a flat-pack chicken coop online. My youngest daughter and I spent an entire day assembling it, battling cryptic instructions, rogue screws, and the occasional urge to set the whole thing on fire. But we did it—without external help! The coop stood tall, a beacon of our determination and questionable carpentry skills.
Chicken Training 101
For the next month, I trained KFC in the fine art of using their ramp, sticking to a routine, and embracing the joy of a structured chicken life. It was like running a tiny poultry boot camp. Fluffly, the overachiever, grasped the concept immediately. Kitty and Candy? Let’s just say they took the scenic route to enlightenment.
But, against all odds, I had a happy little flock that roamed the garden together, inseparable, living their best chicken lives. And then… disaster struck.
The Fox Strikes
One morning, I awoke to a commotion. Rushing outside, I was met with a crime scene—feathers everywhere, silence heavy in the air. A fox had invaded our sanctuary.
Candy was gone without a trace. Kitty’s body lay still. Fluffly, battered but alive, stood amidst the chaos, her white feathers ruffled, her eyes wide with shock. My heart sank. Losing pets is always sad and traumatic, especially when you don’t see it coming. But what haunted me most was Fluffly— She survived two consecutive and vicious attacks by a fox, she had lost her sisters, her best friends. I worried she wouldn’t survive the grief.
For days, she didn’t leave the hen house. She was scared, mourning, and alone. But then, slowly, she emerged, a little stronger each day. And just like that, she reminded me of a simple truth: resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about rising again, no matter how broken you feel.
A New Flock, A New Hope… and More Drama
Determined to help Fluffly move on, I visited a nearby farm and brought home three new feathered friends: another Silkie, an Araucana, and a Bantam. They were beautiful, and I was hopeful.
That hope lasted exactly one night.
Cunning Mr. Fox returned, digging his way into the coop and leaving behind another scene of devastation. Two of my new chickens were gone. Once again, Fluffly survived, this time alongside the Araucana. I could not believe it. My heart ached, but I was amazed at the survival skills that Fluffy and the Araucana chicken displayed. Whether by instinct, luck, or sheer determination, they had once again outmaneuvered the cunning predator. As I stood there, staring at the scattered feathers, I knew One thing for certain – these two were fighters.
After that drama, I decided to name the surviving Araucana “Trixie”—the one that tricked the fox. If there was ever a chicken deserving of a title, it was her. She had outwitted the predator, standing beside Fluffly as the last two survivors of my once-thriving flock. If chickens could wear medals, Fluffy and Trixie (together known as FT) would have one pinned to their little chests.
The Great Escape—Trixie Style
Just when I thought life in the chicken coop might settle into something resembling normalcy, Trixie decided that being a legendary survivor wasn’t enough—she wanted to test her limits.
I had to go on a trip, leaving FT in the capable hands of my lovely sister-in-law. Everything seemed fine… until Trixie got the sudden urge to do a runner.
Now, you might think, “Oh, maybe she just ventured a few feet away.” Oh no. Trixie fully committed to her escape plan. Under the cover of dusk, she ventured outside the boundaries of the garden, leaving my sister-in-law in a state of despair.
Fluffy, ever the sensible one, tucked herself safely into the hen house before nightfall, like a responsible chicken who values her life. But Trixie? No. Trixie was out there looking for trouble for herself and her caregiver.
My sister-in-law called me in a panic. “Trixie is GONE! She didn’t come back! What do I do?!”
I sighed, already accustomed to Trixie’s flair for unnecessary drama. “Don’t worry,” I told her. “If Trixie truly wants to live, she’ll have to find her way back home figure. Spending a whole night outside alone, disoriented, will be the ultimate survival test.”
And so, the waiting game began.
The Return of the Prodigal Chicken
The next day, my sister-in-law peeked outside, half expecting to find nothing or in the worst-case scenario, feathers scattered all over the place. But to everyone’s astonishment, Trixie strutted back into the garden—alive, ruffled, and probably re-evaluating her sense of adventure.
Was she traumatized? Likely. Had she learned her lesson? Absolutely. Will she try this nonsense again? I sincerely hope not.
I don’t know what happened to her overnight—whether she found a secret hiding spot, went on a nocturnal quest, or made a deal with some other nocturnal creatures—but one thing is certain: Trixie has now officially survived two life-threatening events.
Fluffy, ever the pragmatic one, gave her a side-eye as if to say, “You absolute fool. Come back home and stay close to me, Silly”
And me? I just poured myself a strong cup of tea and decided that, after all this, I deserved a medal too for raising 2 warrior chickens!
The Philosophy of Survival
As I stood there, heart heavy, I had a realization. I thought about the African savanna, where predators and prey coexist. A lion does what a lion does best. A zebra’s job is to do what Zebras do best and avoid being eaten by the lion. If it gets caught, it’s tragic—but that’s nature.
It dawned on me: I cannot control everything. I can improve security, I can try my best, but nature will always be nature. Instead of despairing over things I couldn’t change, I had to shift my focus to what I could control—learning, adapting, and finding joy despite the losses.
Lessons from the Coop
This journey with my chickens has been a rollercoaster of emotions—joy, sorrow, frustration, and deep reflection. But in the end, I walked away with three valuable life lessons:
- Loss is painful, but it’s also part of life. Whether it’s pets, people, or plans that don’t work out, loss is inevitable. But we grow through it.
- Resilience is the key to survival. Just like Fluffly, we all have the strength to recover, even when it feels impossible. Healing takes time, but if a tiny fluffy chicken can do it, so can we.
- Some things are beyond our control. Trying to micromanage everything is a recipe for stress. Sometimes, you have to accept the wildness of life and roll with it—preferably with a good sense of humor.
So here I am, still raising chickens, still laughing, still learning. And if you ever find yourself in doubt about life, maybe take a lesson from the humble chicken: wake up with the sun, eat well, explore a little, and when the day is done, rest easy. And, of course, watch out for foxes.
From tragic losses to unexpected triumphs, this is the first episode of The Chicken Chronicles – a series where feathers fly, chaos reigns, and survival instincts get put to the ultimate test.
The following episodes will be released Primarily on my Ko-Fi Page where the Silver Tiers Members will have exclusive access. For just $5 per month (the price of a cup of coffee/Ko-Fi) you can become a Silver Tiers Member. So, come and join me on Ko-Fi for an epic journey filled with words, wonder, and boundless possibilities.
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