We are getting ready to go away for the weekend and the chicken babysitter has just come over for a quick refresher.  The babysitter is actually my Mom and she seems to enjoy taking care of the girls.  They like her too.  Today, while she was here for her babysitting briefings, they carried on about a 5 minute conversation.  They all came over to say hello, as if they just discovered a long lost friend.  The Buff Orpingtons really enjoy her.  They always come over and sniff her.  Then, there is Tilly.  She catches my Mom up on all of the coop’s latest happenings, including what they are having for treats.  You know they love her when they abandon their treats to pay a visit.

I know that they recognize her; but how?  Scientists say that chickens actually recognize each other by their combs.  I wonder if they recognize humans by their hairstyles?  If that is true, then no wonder they love my Mom.  She is the only blond in the vast sea of hairy darkness that spreads across my family.  To the girls, she is probably like an exotic chicken breed.  To them, everything about her is different; her looks, smells and her voice.

Still, it is always nerve wracking to leave my girls behind and head off somewhere far away, no matter who is babysitting.  I hope the girls behave.  I hope Sunshine does not injure her beak and comb for the third time while we are away.  I hope they play nice with the mini-chickens.  I hope the weather is beautiful and rain clouds stay away.  I hope the weather stays cooler.  I hate to worry about the girls overheating.  I hope that predators stay away too!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The chickens seem to know this too.  Whenever I return, they run to me like puppies.  They are truly giddy, jumpy and have a hard time containing their excitement.  Our chicken babysitter is probably the best we could ever hope for.  However, chicken Moms know that nothing can ever take their place.  All chicken Moms know that their true place is at the top of the flock’s pecking order.

Goodbye my little chickens.  Mommy might bring you something home from our vacation weekend.  That is if you are good…