Did you know chickens can purr? Neither did I, until one day one of our chickens did just that.
The chickens helped me in the garden, again. It is becoming a regular thing, which I for one am really glad of. Their antics make me laugh every time, so now, not only do I get the joy of gardening, but also seeing what zanyness these feathered creatures can get up to.
Yesterday I was laying down some compost and top soil and mulching it in readiness for spring planting. I started at one end of the raised beds, mixing in and smoothing out the soil. They followed, moving the soil around, giving it an extra mix. (And the fact that they found the odd grub whilst helping me – well a win win situation I think).
Chickens make this great sound when they discover a tasty treat. It’s not a purr, more joyful laugh. I at least think on it like that as it makes me smile to hear it.
Once the raised beds were mixed and sorted and I was weeding around the beds, they decided the soil was good enough to also have a bath in. Mulching, eating and then a little dust bath, move on, repeat. Then one found what I guess must have been a particular good spot. She settled in and gave herself a good dusting whilst I continued to weed around her. That’s when I discovered chickens can purr.
At first, I couldn’t figure out what the noise was as it sounded very similar to a cats purr. Or who was making it, as each time I looked up she stopped. However, by surreptitiously raising my eyes without lifting my head I realised that she was so happily content that she was actually purring. And that just made my day.
Once the dust bath was done she decided it was time to get back to work. Now chickens are both smart, and lazy. They easily work out that as I dig up weeds, I also dig up great bugs. I end up with the chickens following me and checking out my weeding work. They happily snarf up bugs as they are found, with very little work required. Easy, peasy.
As I moved down an area of weeds they start getting closer and closer, until finally they are side by side with me. Me digging and the chickens straight in there to collect the fruits of my labour. Definitely smart.
If you are new to chickens, but would like to now more about having them, their needs, and what you will need, I can highly recommend Backyard 54’s post ~ Backyard Chickens Beginner Guide.
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Lovely. I’ve heard that chickens are great characters… but not, until now, that they purr!
It’s brilliant, isn’t it? It made my day to find this out. 🙂
A red hen showed up at our barn in Dec she met our dog and she sings to us and runs after us when we are in the yard . She eats some of the dogs food as our dog eats .i think she is the busiest hen I have ever seen she has cleaned my many flower beds of most all weeds and has never missed a day of laying an egg.she has started roosting on our patio so there is some cleanup but she is so entertaining. We love her
That sounds so similar to our little Piddlewick. 🙂 She’s our tiny brown chicken (especially as compared to Gertrude) and she hums and sings her way around our garden.
And all our chickens quite like to peck amongst the rabbit food, given half the chance. Chickens are great, aren’t they?