Hello from Chicken Paradise Hawaii! It’s very noisy (that helicopter!), because today I’m letting the chickens outside for the first time in four and a half months. As a bird flu precaution, we had kept everyone inside the coop. Now the netting overhead and the broken side panels are mostly repaired, so here we go.
Will they come out?
The door opens and… nobody comes out. The roosters who had been outside came over to greet them, which may have backfired. It seems the room wasn’t so bad after all. So I put food outside. They watch from the doorway. Slowly, a few step out. Luna came out, and Tiffany is eating too. Still, most stay inside. Being told to go out all of a sudden is a lot, right?
Then I scattered scratch, which they love even more than their regular food, and out they came! A sight I hadn’t seen in four and a half months. Even the newcomers somehow fit right in. Sorry it’s a bit rainy, but I’m so glad you can go outside again. There were some fights as old faces met again, but outside clearly looks fun.
In the other room, full of roosters, the door had slipped down and got stuck. Once it was open, it turned into a party: the hens watched carefully while the roosters kept pouring out. Out at last, Peach! Everyone was released safely.
The morning after
Rain overnight left the ground muddy. There was some commotion after everyone went out, but things are much calmer now. I worried about a huge brawl, but it wasn’t that bad. Okki-chan seems not to care either way. Plenty of birds have no plans to come out: this year’s half-grown chicks, the Silkie-mix hens, and the broody team, who don’t care that the door is open at all.
I’ll keep a close eye on everyone for a few days for any injuries or illness. Marron, how is eating outside? Spacious and nice! I’d like the caged birds to come out too, but who gets along with whom makes it a puzzle. I often catch myself thinking, “If only Heart were here.”
Hiyo-chan is working hard calling the hens, and looks so happy to be reunited with the big hens. Peach likes a higher perch: “How do you feel?” “I love the outdoors!” Waikiki and Tsuyoshi are side by side, just like before. Indoor life went surprisingly well, but birds who like inside can stay inside, and birds who like outside can be outside. Freedom is best.
Beyond Natsu, relaxing in the hammock, this view is back. And the blue sky too! Thank you for watching Chicken Paradise Hawaii. See you next time!