Today I finally got the courage to let the chickens out of their run. It hasn’t been long since the hawk attack on the chickens. This morning all the chickens were up and going. Three had already laid their eggs. I could tell that the events from the other day was still fresh on their minds. Cricket, a leghorn (the daredevil of the bunch) would scratch a little then quickly lay as flat to the ground as she could. Lavie stayed mainly in the coop. Comet would mimic Cricket but made sure she was getting all the food she could before anyone would. Blackie the second in command stayed perched, watching. By mid-day after keeping an eye on the sky and an ear out for the tell-tell sound of hawks, I opened the chicken run door. They stayed close to me and pecked at the ground only by my feet. It was apparent that they had not forgotten about the events of the other day. Still they were ready to walk around the yard and have some fresh bugs and grass.

As I walked towards the house and into the open they hurriedly found the side of the house. It is scarcely lined with prickly bushes that would provide shelter. Quickly but carefully they made their way under the deck which provided them free movement, lots of bugs, and most importantly – SAFETY! There they have been all afternoon. I listen to the rustling of the leaves created by the chickens haphazardly scratching under the deck. With them under there, I go about my day with the reassurance that they are safe there from all the flying predators. Let’s hope we don’t get any of the four-legged kind. I know that as winter approaches it will continue to become more dangerous and without question will have to keep them in a chicken run for safety.