She was always crosswise to the world, even when she was just a pullet, just beginning to free range. That’s her going back into the night fortress. It wasn’t more than a week after this picture was taken the guineas decided to sleep in the trees and she decided to join them.
Every night I’d have to turn a water hose on her and drive her around up there until she gave up and reluctantly came down to join the others out of harm’s way. As she matured she always reminded me of a woman I used to spend some time with in Socorro, New Mexico, called herself a Cholla. A consistent pain, pleasing to the eye but always in the wrong place, always ready with a dagger.
Yeah, this chicken sorely tried my patience in every way a chicken could from adolescence to full maturity.
So last night when she wasn’t there for the headcount I assumed she was pulling her favorite evening trick, waiting until all the others were locked down for the night, then coming in panic-stricken, pacing and fussing in mock terror until I re-opened the fortress to let her in. But she never showed up and I was secretly glad. I searched around with a flashlight after dark for a while, thinking she might have gone broody outside, or decided to roost on a treelimb.
Ha! Nowhere to be found! Ha! Coyotes have been calling in close nights lately, so I figured between coyotes and coons that lady was going to pay the price of freedom.
This morning before daybreak I put together a post entitled, Requiem for a Chicken. Said some nice things about her, partial, selective truths. Then, in the false dawn I went out and released the main flock, did another headcount as they emerged, just to make sure.
Next I went to the old fortress and cage where I keep the other two roosters separately penned. Out they came, and there she was. I don’t have a clue how she got in there.
Always in the wrong place.
Old Jules
So Far From Heaven 
Condolences on her continued survival. It sounds like she’s lucky not to be named Campbell’s by now.
Morning Good Luck Duck: I’m probably too much a wimp, spoil the animalcules. Mostly I don’t Campbell’s soup my chickens if I can help it. Thanks for the visit. Jules
These are the stories that got me hooked on your blog.
Glad to have you visiting John Northcutt Young. Thanks. Jules
Maybe she thinks she’s always in the right place. 🙂
Morning Teresa Evangeline. I expects she does. Thanks for the visit. Jules
Love it, love it, love it. Thanks for getting my day off to a good laugh.
Thank you Chris Alice Donner. Thanks also for the visit and read. Gracias, Jules
But SHE knew where she was! 😀
Guttermutt: Yep, and she knows she’s there again. Guess the arrangement works for both of us. Gracias, Jules
I had a hen like that once.
May I recommend Chicken Pot Pie
Hi D: I’ll talk it over with her. Gracias, Jules
If nothing else, she gave the roosters something to crow about. (har!)
Hi michael ultra: good seeing you here. Hope all’s better in your life. Gracias, Jules
It sounds like she’s lucky not to be named Campbell’s by now.
(chuckles) well, the main thing is she is safe (~_~)
Indeed she is. Thanks zendictive. Jules
Ha! Cheeky girl. 🙂
Have you seen that movie: The Natural History of the Chicken? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257954/
If you see it, don’t take it too seriously. A fun movie that may move you to tears. Very cute.
Thanks for the post.
tmso: I haven’t seen it but I’ll watch for it at the thrift stores and the library. Thanks for the tip. Gracias, Jules
Oh, darn, somebody told her about girls’ night out! It’s about time I let my hens free range for a few hours a day. The evicted rooster, Troublemaker, (yep, had to give him a name!) has been doing well hanging out with the bull, and their original owner suggested today he would keep the hens near the bull. Reckon we’ll see…
Morning June: I surely believe chickens are happier free ranging. Also gives them a broader range of diet and the eggs seem to me to taste richer. I’m not sure how a person would keep it down to a few hours a day unless they weren’t released until late. Once they’re out I’ve never managed to lure them back in until near bedtime. Good luck on that. Gracias, Jules