When I was about 9 years old, my Pop took me with him to a BBQ at a small ranch on the outskirts of Las Vegas. To my delight he was convinced to buy a horse that a woman described only as “green broke”. He paid $50 bucks sight unseen for my new best friend. Somewhere between the tall tales and the sheer volume of Budweiser, he completely forgot about his purchase. The next morning he was surprised by a phone call from the woman asking him to come pick up his horse. The beast was located about a half a mile from the small ranch where we had been the night before so we called the owner to ask what we should do about this little filly. She offered her boarding and training services – Aleda became a fixture of my life for the next several years.
In addition to horses, Aleda raised chickens, all kinds if chickens. Some had colorful plumage, some had big topknots, some were odd-shaped. Some she called her “Albert Einstein” chickens. One day my Pop asked which ones were the best to eat. Appalled, Aleda responded, “You don’t eat your friends!”
Ever since that day I have thought about chickens as pets. I’ve never owned one, but I’ve admired many. When I see the Tyson truck jammed full on the highway I feel a bit saddened. Now I’m not saying that you shouldn’t eat your chickens, I’m just saying that they are some pretty amazing creatures. Their personalities are pretty distinctive. My brother Max writes an informative and earnest blog about his chickens – The Fruity Chicken. Through his eyes I have come to see the humor and majesty that these wonderful creatures posses.
Here are some shots of some chickens I have met recently:
This is Gamer – she’s owned by my friend and bird art feeder source (The Norberta Philbrook Gallery) Raven. She says this is the smartest chicken in the yard. I saw her eating out of this watermelon rind like it was a bowl – clearly a smart chick.
This hen has amazing plumage and serious attitude. Raven says she’s at the top of the pecking order and it shows.
She never drops the attitude while giving me the eye.
I got a chance to go to the county fair last week and gaze upon some prize-winning chickens. My 99-year-old friend Mary Jane was with me and although she was unwilling to be photographed (I think she belongs to some uber secret chicken whispering society) she was able to get them to talk back to her.
This guy was all about the profile – poser.
This girl’s been inside too long – clearly looking for an opportunity for a jail break.
This one was talking back to Mary Jane – “Holla!”
This chicken was the most amazing of all – its “Kreskin-like” powers have enabled it to bend the bars of its prison to its own will, echoing the very shape of its piercing eyes.
Who could eat any of these characters? You don’t eat your friends.
the eff stop 
They’re so cool! I especially like the one saying “Hola!” Would you mind if I paint from these pics? I’m Erika, Raven’s friend 🙂
Email me at artsifrtsy@yahoo.com and I can get you a good sized image.
Most of them are gone by October 10th.
I once had a friend who was raising a steer for meat. She called it “Meatloaf” in order not to lose perspective.
Laurie, photographer of hummingbirds, the migration has begun. Pay attention. If your feeders aren’t slammed yet they will be soon. 5
Meatloaf – that’s a good strategy as long as you don’t make friends with your food:)
Ron, my feeders have been slammed, lots of air battles going on too. How long will they linger here?
I love the Kreskin bird.
He is my favorite too – those eyes are powerful….
Up this close they certainly have beautiful plumage.
I’m a vegetarian, so I never eat friends. Though I may bite, if people annoy me too much.
LOL – I’ll watch my step!
Hilarious! About forgetting the horse and not eating your friends! Too funny – and yes, I am one of those weird people that has actually had pet chickens – they are funny creatures -such personalities. Great photos – K
Thanks! My Pop was a corker:) I have thought about having some – I love their quirky personalities.
These are splendid!!!
Thanks!
I never could eat animals I knew either. Too soft hearted. As you said “You don’t eat your friends”
Nope – once you have a relationship with an animal it ceases to be food for me.
I have a problem with rabbit. My brother shot several of them on his property (plague proportions) and skinned a baby one & brought it down to me in the city. As I was cleaning it, tears started forming and I couldn’t eat it.
I had pet rabbits as a kid – not going to eat one that I know. I can eat a fish I catch, but he’s not my friend:)
Ooh Boy! Didn’t Karen tell you about Christmas dinner this year?
Not the ducken????? I promise – I’ll bring a ham!
I was kinda countin on you to a photo documentary of the “process” on the 22nd
LOL – Send me a calendar invite!
I used to have laying hens and let me just say they’re no good for eating!
Good thing – I never have been able to eat something I spent a lot of time with. My pop won two live turkeys one year at Thanksgiving. I ate the first one with the family – by Christmas I was too attached.