So we arrived at the farm, R&R Farm, about 10 miles northeast of Northport, Alabama. Bob came out to greet us and we took Scratch and Scout back to their new digs, a spacious, well-appointed stall in a stable. They immediately took to roost on the board suspended high above the ground. Happy in their new home.
Then Bob and I walked around looking at all the other animals he's got out there...and does he have a lot! They are: horses, goats, chickens (many types), peacocks, guinea hens, parrots, dogs, of course, and last but not least, two BUFFALO! Two huge hairy beasts! See pictures below!
So yes, lots of animals. And deer and rabbits sometimes appear too. So we walked around, mingling with creatures and critters, and I petted a goat, who head-butted my butt when I turned away. I looked at all the chickens, of many types and ages. They were good lookin' little people. One of them, Bob said, was Scout's father; I did see a strong resemblence. In fact, there was a whole group of BB Reds in a coop that looked like the extended family of my chickens. Oh, in light of this, even though Bob said that S&S would live separately the whole time, we went ahead and put bands on their legs anyway, just in case they played with others and got mixed in. I'd hate to go back out there and wind up with stranger-chickens.
After being there for an hour and a half or so, it was finally time to head home. I went back to Scratch & Scout's apartment for one last pet and to say goodbye. Happily, they were already comfortable in their stall, and Bob assured my that he would visit and play with them, since they were so used to having a daddy around. I said goodbye, got a last photo, and left.
Home I went, and as sad as it was to take them to the farm and say goodbye, the saddest part was when I came home to an empty home. Normally, when I open the door, I would say "Hello! What are you doing?!" and they would crow and cluck back and be glad to see me. This time, I opened the door, said "Hello!?" and got only silence in return.
It was definitely a sad, quiet house thereafter, espcially when I was cleaning up and putting away their stuff. It was good that I was able to get out of there and go on the South Florida trip the next day.
Oh, one more thing about farm return day. Bob gave me a small egg, fresh from the vent of another chicken, which brought home and scrambled. It was goooood! Fresh eggs are so much better than store bought!
So, that was that. A month and a half ago. Scratch and Scout were back at the farm, and I was off to Florida, then work in Montgomery. I've been back in Tuscaloosa for almost a week now, closing down the summer and getting ready to head to DC for the semester. I've finally written the farm report, and just in time, because I plan on visiting them tomorrow. I called by tonight and left a message saying that I would have to leave them there awhile longer and that I'd like to visit tomorrrow. Hopefully all will be well, and they'll be happy to see me and maybe Scratch will even have some eggs for daddy.
Speaking of eggs, did I ever mention that right before I took them back, I had caught them gettin' busy a couple of times? Yes, it seemed that after a few months as brother and sister, they had become boyfriend and girlfriend. Don't worry; although we don't know if they really are siblings (or half-siblings), incest is not really an issue with chickens. At least not just sweet pets. Maybe if you're raising show chickens; I don't know. Anyway, the point is that maybe she'll have some eggs for me, or maybe some grand-chicks!
Oh you know what? Another thing I forgot to tell the story about is the Chicken Store and Chicken Lounge in Key West, not to mention all of the chickens running wild. I'll save that story for a later post.
Okay, here are some pictures from that day in late June, back to the farm:
