Helping Hens
Alison Owens
The hens check out my work.
Once upon a time there were four chickens who lived a charmed life in luxury accommodation and were brought treats and wholesome food that met their every dietary need. The chickens grew used to this lifestyle and developed extremely high standards.
This is probably why when I go to clean out the hen house those fours chickens pop in to make sure I’m doing a good job. They make little noises that sound a lot like ‘Hmmmm? Yeeess?’ And also ‘It’s ok, but honestly I think you’ve missed a bit.’
Hattie keeps her beady eye on me.
Hattie likes to get stuck in with a bit of intense scrutiny. When she appears through the pop hole at the top of the ladder, I get the urge to curtsy and stammer something like ‘I’m s-s-sorry ma’am, I’m just the maid. I shan’t disturb.’
Even Chicktoria, who tends to give everything non-edible a wide berth, becomes absorbed in the inspection routine. If she had a pair of white gloves I’m sure she would run them over the surfaces and tut.
The chickens love a bit of yogurt!
Once the domestic staff has finished, what could be better than a little snack? But what to do if the snack on offer is a mystery bowl of white stuff? Well, if you’re Chicktoria you almost lose your tiny hen brain because the white stuff is probably trying to kill you. Fortunately Henbley is a smart chicken and remembers that when she had to take antibiotics for her sore foot it was served in a dish of yoghurt studded with delicious dried mealworms. So she led the charge and got stuck in. The others followed suit pretty swiftly as none of them can abide missing out on a good scoff.
Is there anything more appealing than a yoghurt-coated chicken? (And no, that’s not a recipe.)