Putting the Backyard Hens to Work
by Rachel Tayse • September 30, 2010 • City Chickens, Gardening & Pets • 4 Comments
Last Sunday, we put most of the garden beds to rest for the winter. It’s a melancholy job for me as I work so hard to raise these plants from seeds, care for them as small shoots, and put up the harvest. I almost hate to rip the stems from the earth and send them to the compost bin.
This year, the job was easier than ever thanks to our backyard chickens. As soon as the plants were removed, we placed the birds in the beds. In the process of looking for insects and munching up rotten tomatoes, our three toed hens turned over the topsoil. They even left behind some ‘nutrients’ to that will be beneficial come next spring.
While Lillian has loved these birds for many months, my affection for them has formed more slowly. The worry that I used to have for their very survival is now replaced by true fondness for their soft warbles, the way they delight to see me in the morning, and their goofy antics running around the yard. When they are cuddled up on a cold winter day against our warm window, I almost want to let them inside for a bit.
Of course I leave them outside where they can forage and lay at ease. Their egg production is slowing with shortening days, but they still have much to contribute to our homestead with their silly spirits and aerating steps.
This post added to Simple Lives Thursday.
I thought my chickens didn’t like my garden. Yeah, until I planted out my fall crops, then the LOVED it. Sigh. I’m going to get some sort of fencing to keep them out. I love my chickens too.
My chickens wait all summer to get into the garden. We’ve finally let them in and it’s like a fowl festival, a poultry party! I just wish they wouldn’t fling all my gorgeous soil out of the beds…
I can’t tell you how much I miss our chickens. I miss the sounds they made, the eggs they gifted us, their silly looks when they molted and that soft clucking sound when we would go out to feed them. Hopefully soon once we sell our house we can become chicken owners again. Your flock is beautiful, especially the orange ones. Are they buff orpingtons?
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