The girls have gotten very picky about their treats. A bit of back story--I've been working overnights at a franchise (my dad and uncle are considering buying one in the midwest since the franchise is expanding there). They asked me to learn as much as I could about the franchise (Canadian) so that they could set me up to be an owner-manager. One of the perks (there aren't many) is that I can bring the food that is tossed out at the end of the day home for the girls. They have gotten very selective. They really like the cheese, certain types of bread, etc. The downside of this is that they have gotten very demanding. Yesterday TWELVE of them (led by Myrtle) were trying to storm the patio door. The other downside is that if I leave in the afternoon, they chase the car to the end of the driveway.
I had to start rationing them when I noticed Prudence was waddling. As much fun as it was to watch them scurry around for the treats, I realized that I was "over" treating them.
At any given time that I open the patio door, 6-10 of them will race in the house and if I raise my hand, three or four will "hop" up in the air to see what I might have. Who said chickens were stupid? Mine sure aren't. Who knew having chickens could be so much fun.
PS--Egg production has gone up since the girls have been getting all of these treats...or maybe it is because they stopped molting.
Saw an ad on the Internet
"We are looking for a good home. We do not want to be MEAT on your table. We are 11 months old, lay eggs every day, love to free range and eat bugs, grass, and other things we find. At night we like a safe coop in which to roost. In exchange, we will give you fresh eggs."
I asked Myrtle if we had room for two more girls...she replied "only if you up the treats and make sure they know they can't roost on the top bar."
I've sent the owner an email offering the girls a home. I highlighted some of the perks of CWS' Chicken Haven...
--sandbox in coop during the winter months
--free-range
--house time
--treats (fresh corn when in season, veggies, meat, earthworms, oatmeal on cold nights, custom-made chicken coats, periodic rides in the car, cuddles on the lap, and footbaths when their feet get dirty [Harriet's feet were particularly dirty last week--I put her in the bathroom sink to wash them--she was fascinated by the hen in the mirror who looked just like her...]).
Hopefully I didn't leave anything out and the girls will come to live with us, er, the girls.