This hen is called Hayrack Hen because she took cover under the hayrack in the field since last summer. Other chickens picked and pecked on her so she hid out there and I waited for her every night to come into the barn before I closed the doors.
I decided I’d put her in with the chicks so they could grow up with her and she could protect them. In other words I gave her an important job to do where nobody else could attack her. I’ll keep you posted.
Reader photos
Here’s one of those prices to pay when you live in the country – picking up sticks in the lawn.
This evening I watched The Housemaid on Starz. I read the book last year but couldn’t remember any details – just that I enjoyed it. The movie was explosive and shocking – I was glued to the screen!! A thriller but not for the faint of heart. I hope I can sleep. 😳
What a clever idea to give your Hayrack Hen a very important job of watching out for the new chicks! I’m also interested in how this works for her & the chicks! Quilts…I have given my Minister & written instructions for my children that when I pass they along with the grands may each pick a quilt for themselves. The rest will be draped over the church pews & anyone who would like a quilt may have one. The rest will be donated to our fire dept for anyone who needs a quilt. My quilts are not to be donated to Goodwill!
I think Carol’s suggestion of a book called “Hayrack Hen Gets a Job” would be great. Too bad it takes so much to get a book published. Can’t you just see it though, as a wonderful kid’s book with a lesson on bullying. As if you don’t have enough on your plate already.
Finally getting a couple nice spring days in a row and, hopefully the warm weather continues. Stormy weather predicted for tomorrow. Thanks for all you do keeping the blog going. It’s such an enjoyable read.
You mentioned chicken bullies. There is a story actually involving chicken social interactions that was highlighted on a TED Talk over ten years ago that delighted me no end. It uses pecking order to illustrate this remarkable concept. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyn_xLrtZaY&list=PLrSGqhKRDpic0qGZmpK8D5D4eS5bGyf3G&index=1
I think that’s a great idea for Hayrack Hen. I’m sorry the others pick on her. Hopefully she’ll live up to her responsibility. Great show & tell today, ladies!
Poor little hen! I hope this makes a happier life for her!
Bonnie, congratulations on finishing a project from 1985ish! The backing material reminds me of some kitchen canisters I had about the same time. Hayrack Hen – great story title. Looking forward to watching it unfold in real life.
What a great idea to give that poor,persecuted hen a job where she’s safe! I hope it works out for her. I hate when chickens are terrible bullies!
What a good idea for your poor hen. When I was a little girl I used to feel so bad for the poor outcast chicken with pecked off feathers. You seem to have arrived at a great solution. We have a yard full of sticks too & after a couple of hours picking them up I look like Molly in her chair.
I feel so bad for Hayrack. I wonder why the other chickens picked on her. I know that happens but always wonder why. I can’t imagine her out in the cold over the winter. I’m so happy that you have given her a job to care for the chicks. I hope they treat her well. You are so good to all of your animals Mary.
Ginger – oh, she wasn’t outside in the winter – I had a safe area for her and a couple others in the barn- I hate chicken bullies!!!
Hazel and Molly are just about opposites, aren’t they? Wonder if Hazel brings you sticks when you pick up around the yard, or wants you to throw those you gather.
Hayrack Hen should enjoy fostering the chicks, companionship for her, protection for them. Good luck with her, hope it works out for all of you.
Enjoy the tulip wall hanging, assume the embroidery is names of grandkids. The varied backgrounds on the big bullseye makes it more interesting, one of those extra touches I seldom think of.
Have a good day, hang on to your hat in the wind!
RS – yes, Hazel and Molly and a Mutt and Jeff combo! Yes, Hazel brings me twigs all the time and sometimes a leaf – to throw!!!! Nobody can throw a leaf!
Hayrack Gets a Job… your next book! I sure hope she’s successful at it. “Mother Hen”, aren’t we all in some way?
I love that quilt label, “1985-ish”, I almost laughed my coffee all over myself.
I haven’t heard anything new on Elio, trying not to be a pest in their new little world.
Carol – gosh, wouldn’t that be a great kids book? Wish I had an illustrator and a publisher – would be such a great “career” in my senior years – ha!! I should write it up now while it’s all fresh in my mind.
I agree, that is a great quilt label! Looking forward to seeing how your hen does with the chicks.
Mary, Watch and see if this crop of chicks will be kind and maybe even protective of their big sister. That would be a great outcome for your kindness.
It’s going to be hot (85) here today in southern Minnesota.
Have a good day everyone.
Janet – yes, I will observe. Hayrack needs their protection and I think they’ll all bond. This morning she’s down on the floor eating with them.
Molly looks soooo comfy! 🐶😁 I, too, am constantly picking up twigs/limbs – price to pay with trees! Love that quilt label. I have never made quilt labels (don’t have kids so figure my quilts will end up at GoodWill
some day 🤣) i would be curious to know how everyone makes their labels? Maybe I’ll give it a go! Happy Wednesday Everyone 🥰
Kelli, Don’t let your quilts end up at goodwill. Instead ask your friends/family to give them to a church or worthwhile organization who can distribute or sell them.
I agree with Janet – your quilts can go to a church, hospital, hospice, or shelter. That is what I have told my family to do with mine. One son said he would keep all my quilts. I laughed and said, “you don’t know how many I have.” Now he knows he can keep what he wants and give the others as I designated and not feel guilty.
Vicki – excellent idea for all your quilts! Haven’t heard from you for a bit – maybe you’re already working in your yard?
Yes, working in the yard. Long days and I am sore and tired at the end. We are through the brunt of it and I will have more time to do fun things. I have some quilts to finish, but that may be another few weeks before I get to them. Something on the back burner that is fun and relaxing.
Kelli – the only thing I do is put my initials in one corner with the year. Nobody is going to care about my quilts.
Kelli, I always label my quilts, but I prefer the labels to very unobtrusive. I guess it’s just a little personal nod to myself, lol! I write all the information on one line on a strip of fabric (name of quilt, sometimes who it’s for, my name & location, date), then tack it down along the binding. I don’t for a second think my quilts will be valued greatly when I’m gone, but I’ve had a blast collecting fabric and making them, and that’s all that matters to me! I’ve already gifted quilts to my kids and grandkids, so the ones I don’t want to part with now can go wherever.
I hope Hayrack Hen will enjoy her new job, look forward to hearing more about her!
The Hayrack Hen’s new job is a great idea! You are so kind, Mary.
I love the fruit jar quilt.
What a sweet plan for the hen, very thoughtful and kind of you. Fingers crossed. Thank you for this and all your kindness to all. Elaine in Canada
Thanks for the interesting stuff! Giving your Haystack hen a job to do and the chicks a protector – such a kind and clever idea! I think Molly wants to stay at your house! My rug-hooker friends were here today and brought quilty hand work instead – very tiny pieces to make up a wall hanging depicting a grand piano. It’s a kit.
Judy – is it a water color type kit for the grand piano? A reader sent me one but I’m terrified to start it
Mary don’t be afraid to start the kit. Dive in and give it a try. Remember it’s only fabric. If it goes well you’ll have a beautiful project finished. If it doesn’t go well Hazel gets a new blanket. Remember to just have fun with it.
You’ll probably need a design wall. After two years our last ash tree is down. It was so sad. After counting the rings we think it was planted around WW1. Our yard looks so different . We took down almost 30 trees during the last two years. I’m so glad it is done.
Marie – I’m on the trail right now and this summer we have to do the same – after the derecho so many are broken and now we will hardly have a grove left – it breaks my heart
I’ve never seen anything like the photo of the “quilt”. It didn’t look watercolory. It looked like like bits of bright colors sort of thrown around a standing piano and background! Helpful? It did look like a terrifying project, but Pat was having a good time cutting out the tiny, intricate shapes. Very time consuming!
Judy – I’ll find it and take a picture