We keep a mixed flock. We have standard sized hens and bantams. Silkie Bantams to be exact, as we like to call them-our Chinese chickens. The standard girls are big and bossy. They are always the ones jockeying their position for food, treats and human attention. The little Silkies, all four of them, tend to keep a bit back. They don’t mind. They are completely content not taking center stage in our menagerie of chickens. It is almost as if they are a mini-flock within the larger flock. Sometimes, with all the brouhaha of Oyster Cracker continually jumping into my lap with an insatiable appetite for attention, Tilly chatting up a storm, and the chaos of treat time the Silkies are easy to overlook.
Our three year old Silkie Hen, Dolly, has long time been one of my favorite girls. I know I shouldn’t play favorites but this little lump of fluff has found her way into my heart. I’m not quite sure if it is the way she mothers so beautifully or the gentleness about her. She is patient. She is kind and she is wonderful with the kids. She is giving and generous and keeps an eye out for the other Silkies. I have never told the kids about my personal feeling about her and the girls. I didn’t want them to know that I secretly had my favorites.
Yesterday I had my eldest go out to the coop to let the girls out, toss in some scratch and check for eggs. When he came inside, as the soon to be aloof double digit kid could only share…”You know Mom, I never realized this, but Dolly is one of my favorite hens.” I could feel my heart smile.
My heart was smiling because to a boy whose life is consumed with school, his peers and the normal pressures of growing up has taken the time to notice our small unassuming, easy-to-miss little hen. Sometimes it is the little things in life that really make the biggest impact. Love knows no size. Love has no boundaries except those that you place on it.
Photo Credit: Tilly’s Nest
8 thoughts on “Chicken Littles”
Thanks for sharing this sweet post. I'm a cat lover & my 3 are siblings but each is a different color. Love comes in all colors, sizes, shapes whether fur or feathers. I knew a lot of chickens as a kid on my grandparents farm –a long time ago.
I am so happy to hear that so many people regardless of the animals we love can all understand what our hearts are feeling.
I felt such happiness and peace in my heart as I read your post. Isn't it amazing the love that these unassuming tiny creatures instill in those who love them right back. I have one black 5 month old Silkie whom I have become really attached to; she makes the sweetest little sounds as I talk to her in my human words, almost as though she is answering me right back. So soft and cuddly too. They just seem to 'share the love.' I enjoy your blog very much. Keep 'em coming and God be with you.
I too love my silkies, they are adorable, just wish I could tell them apart so I could name them. It was much easier with Elvis, she had a great big round pom pom on her head, so much so, that we thought she was a Roo.. then she started laying eggs. Sadly a predator got her one day, and Mr. Gobblekins, we thought she might be a Roo too, but then she started laying eggs. I now have 2 sikies and 3 white hens (leg horns?) I only know Gladys when she pecks my shoes.
Thank you for sharing your silkies.
Thank you too Susie for sharing your chickens with me too. I love the names you picked and it just brighten my day that much more that you have taken the time to share.
Aww how sweet. I know I have faves too. And those silkies are so cute. Do you mail order your silkie chicks? I am thinking of getting some.
Thanks Elaine. I have ordered them through http://www.mypetchicken.com and I have a woman who raises them nearby. They are very difficult to determine whether they are male or female so be sure to order a couple extra just in case!
I am never prouder than when one of kids shows compassion and sensitivity. Its those moments that give me hope that I did an OK job raising them. Your son had a good mom for a role model.