This weekend, I picked up the Crooked Little Hen’s boyfriend, Mr. Hyde, and took him to the chicken house. “No more pooping on the porch, Mr. Hyde!” I said. And I plopped him down behind bars to join the rest. A group of chickens has been living in the chicken house and chicken yard for about a month. They decided they didn’t want anything to do with winter anymore and they holed up, waiting for it to be over.
Another group of chickens roosts out at night. They refuse to go back to the chicken house. They’re free birds and they won’t be fenced in! They’re rebels. They roost on the goat pen gates and sleep with Clover and Company. And then there’s the Crooked Little Hen and Mr. Hyde, roosting on the porch.
Well, I showed Mr. Hyde. I put him in the chicken yard. He paced back and forth at the fence line and he crowed and crowed. But he couldn’t get out.
And by the next day, the roosters in the chicken yard had nearly killed him. I thought he was dead. And it was all my fault! I had put him in the chicken yard! I had make the mistake in judgment that he was top rooster and those other chicken house roosters wouldn’t dare touch him.
Maybe they saw him crying about the Crooked Little Hen. Maybe he admitted he missed her. Maybe he even told them he loved her. Maybe they thought he wasn’t tough enough to be top rooster anymore.
I found him in a lifeless heap, his beak pressed into the corner behind the feed box. His feathers were soaked in blood. I picked him up, not even sure if he was still alive. But he was!
I took him back to the porch, back to the dog dishes.
He drank some water and pecked some stray dog food off the floor.
And then he bowed his head in front of the Crooked Little Hen, ashamed of his condition from the tip of his bloody comb right down to his droopy tail feather.
“I’m not beautiful anymore,” he said.
And the Crooked Little Hen….
….bent this way….
….and that way.
Grooming him.
For hours. It was one of the most amazing animal incidents I’ve ever seen, the way she cleaned him.
She preened his every feather as best as she could.
And when she was done, he puffed out his chest and then he saw it. He saw that his tail feather still drooped, and he knew there was nothing anyone could do.
And he said, “How could you ever love me now, Crooked Little Hen?”
But the Crooked Little Hen told him what she has always known.
“Beauty is on the inside, rooster.”
And they lived happily ever after. At least until I think of a way to get rid of him that won’t kill him.
Sasha says:
It’s time to trim her beak!
https://www.chickenkeepingsecrets.com/chicken-health/crooked-beak-in-hens-poultry/
On March 9, 2010 at 2:15 am
skippymom says:
My husband doesn’t read blogs or the net but he likes me to relate the stories of Crooked lil Hen and how you can get her off the porch.
Now you have two. Congrats. And I have another good story for Pooldad.
On March 9, 2010 at 4:59 am
carsek says:
Good luck getting them off the porch. My chickens have discovered that if they stand at the back door they are in the sun but out of the wind. It is really hard to go outside without stepping in chicken poop. Let me know if you figure a way to get them to stay in the chicken yard. Ha!
On March 9, 2010 at 5:21 am
Chris says:
So sweet – it made me tear up. You are a beautiful writer
On March 9, 2010 at 5:37 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
:sun: Another great story to start my day!! Thanks Suzanne!! Poor Mr Hyde!! My two roosters always pick on my little rooster MICK JAGGER!!Roosters are so mean…
Hugs Granny Trace
On March 9, 2010 at 6:00 am
Runningtrails says:
That is so sweet! He is her mate. You can’t separate them again!
That poor little fella! I’m glad you found him and rescued him! Maybe that’s why he came to the porch in the first place, because he was being picked on out there.
On March 9, 2010 at 6:18 am
Kathryn says:
What a lovely, lovely story. I thank you!
On March 9, 2010 at 6:22 am
Leah says:
The other roosters must have been so glad when he first left they didnt want him back and decided theyd kill him first. That’s too wild!
On March 9, 2010 at 6:37 am
Diane says:
A wonderful love story. How about if you build them a small chicken pen for 2?? I think they just need a place of their own is all. Someplace away from the other chickens so that Mr Hyde does not get pecked like that again. I am amazed he is still alive. That was alot of blood on him.
On March 9, 2010 at 6:45 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
Awww! I’m glad he wasn’t killed. He looked so bedraggled and downcast. Crooked Lil Hen was so tender in the way she preened his feathers and took care of him. Such a love story! All you have to do now is figure how to keep them both off the porch. But, that’s another adventure!
On March 9, 2010 at 6:52 am
Linda says:
Their story brought a tear to my eye. Thanks, Suzanne. :sheep:
On March 9, 2010 at 6:54 am
Julie Wriston says:
Yeah, I’m thinking you’ll just have to build them their own love nest ~ a little ol’ place where they can get together!! And off your porch!
Great story! I had no idea chickens could be so interesting!
On March 9, 2010 at 7:05 am
Johanna says:
That’s a very touching story. Now get your boys (Weston and 52) busy building a fully fenced Love Shack for those two!
On March 9, 2010 at 7:18 am
NCMom says:
Aw! That is so sweet. :snuggle:
On March 9, 2010 at 7:33 am
Susan at Charm of the Carolines says:
Who knew chickens were so ruthless? The rule at my house is all God’s creatures gots to get along. Might explain why I don’t have any chickens.
Susan
On March 9, 2010 at 7:55 am
Phyllis says:
It amazes me how animals have their own personality. My rooster, Cowboy, picks on my other roosters too. There is no separating The Crooked Little Hen and her mate. Build them their own little condo.
On March 9, 2010 at 7:58 am
Carol Langille says:
Well, here I go again…wiping tears while I’m at work and trying to ignore the fact that a love story about two CHICKENS could make me feel so emotional.
Please don’t seperate them again, Suzanne. This is meant to be!
On March 9, 2010 at 8:02 am
CindyP says:
Awww, what a great story! Very amazing how CLH spent hours to make him feel better :heart: that’s true love!
Sasha, what a great link you provided! According to that, Suzanne is doing the correct thing! As long as the chicken is getting nutrition and eating well, it is NOT a problem!!!!!
On March 9, 2010 at 8:06 am
diana says:
oh please do not part them again! i would rather step in bird poo then cry over how tenderly crooked little hen took care of his ragged feathers! i get more emotional over animals than i do people. i think because animals ask nothing but shelter and food, and they bring such joy just being.
On March 9, 2010 at 8:15 am
lishusm says:
Wiping a tear because of Chicken Love??? Whodathunkit?? Omigosh. I need to stop reading you at work! Hahahahaha
On March 9, 2010 at 8:38 am
KentuckyFarmGirl says:
I had to build my little Cochin hen and rooster a “love shack” of their own. They hatched and raised one baby from 8 little eggs last year. They are such a cute little family!
On March 9, 2010 at 8:39 am
Karen Anne says:
Poor guy. What’s a little poop problem compared to true love and staying alive..
On March 9, 2010 at 8:40 am
Michele Messier says:
Poor little guy. I think you better just let him stay where ever he wants! :sheepjump: :sheepjump: :sheepjump:
On March 9, 2010 at 9:04 am
lavenderblue says:
AAAWWWWW, Suzanne, have a heart. They were meant for each other. :heart: They are soul mates. I have tears in my eyes over chickens, for goodness sake. I agree with the others, a cozy little cottage that they could share…
On March 9, 2010 at 9:21 am
Jo says:
I have tears in my eyes too. They are meant for each other….like Romeo and Juliet!! :heart: :snuggle: :airkiss:
You must build a little love-shack for just the two of them! :yes: :happyfeet:
On March 9, 2010 at 9:28 am
joy says:
Sweeeet! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that was my blog yesterday!
On March 9, 2010 at 9:33 am
Nancy says:
I’m relieved to see I’m not the only one with a tear in my eye…
On March 9, 2010 at 9:41 am
CATRAY44 says:
I agree… a small doghouse would be a great solution for them…. I see a line of children’s books here! The “WInd in the Willows” or “Charlette’s Web” of the chicken world!
On March 9, 2010 at 9:43 am
LeAnn says:
Aww…such a sweet story. I liked Little Crooked Hen and her beau before, but they have stolen my heart! Too, sweet! I agree with everyone else who thinks you need to build them their very own space. Unless of course you can get used to the chicken poo in your space. 😕
On March 9, 2010 at 9:43 am
MMHONEY says:
PLEASE MAKE NOTE: THAT UNTIL LCH’S BEAK IS CORRECTED SHE CANNOT FORGE FOR HERSELF. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO CONSUME ENOUGH FOOD ON FREE RANGE. SHE MUST HAVE FOOD OF SUBSTANCE (IE DOG FOOD). A VET IS NEEDED. I MAY EVEN SEND HER A GETWELL CARD.
On March 9, 2010 at 10:14 am
Aedrielle says:
What a sweet story!! :duck:
On March 9, 2010 at 11:02 am
Rose H says:
Ooh! That is SO sweet. Iknow I don’t have to suffer the problems they cause, but I agree with the others let them set up home in there own little chicken shack – true love will conquer. :chicken: :heart: :chicken:
On March 9, 2010 at 11:15 am
chives says:
I think you are going to have to build a love nest for two. They are just going to have to have thier own chicken house. Just big enough for two. One bedroom is fine. Haha Vicki
On March 9, 2010 at 11:18 am
Carol says:
I’m crying here at work… thanks! LOL!
On March 9, 2010 at 11:47 am
Melissa Marsh says:
How adorable… :heart:
On March 9, 2010 at 12:02 pm
catslady says:
Tears here too. I so love your animal stories. Survival of the fittest sucks but it is the most logical. Humans aren’t logical!!
On March 9, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Nancy in Iowa says:
Awwwwwwwwwww….. :snuggle:
On March 9, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Sharon Gosney says:
I can’t believe how nasty and mean roosters are! Poor Mr Hyde, he is meant to be with crooked hen.
On March 9, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Barbee' says:
Another good reason for their own place: if CLH lays eggs you can be sure which are hers and not let them hatch and carry on those genes. If she gets broody, maybe you could slip one or two good eggs under her and do a switch-er-roo. I remember my grandmother marking the eggs with a dull pencil by making large X’s on the ones she wanted to hatch. If unmarked eggs appeared in the nest, she took those to the kitchen.
On March 9, 2010 at 2:55 pm
minibar says:
What a lovely story, beautiful!
On March 9, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Conny says:
You have such a lovely way with words. Bravo! My heart is cheered by your story. Gotta like that wry sense of humor too. :>)
On March 9, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Arlene says:
Oh what a great story. Watching animals interact is amazing isn’t it? Thanks for this one!
On March 9, 2010 at 4:19 pm
jojo says:
Now you know you need an almost spring project to work on! :happyfeet: Get some lumber, chicken wire, and build those two love-birds a home of their own. I can’t read anymore about her for fear of reading that he was killed by the others! :no:
On March 9, 2010 at 4:34 pm
SuzieQ says:
You made me cry…you CAN’T separate them again… :snuggle:
On March 9, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Cindy says:
Someone please pass the Kleenex.Sniff, sniff.
On March 9, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Lisa says:
Such a sweet story, misty eyes here too :snuggle: :heart:
On March 9, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Yvonne says:
I agree with most everyone else….the AWWWWW’s and tears and the fact they need a love shack. He was such a beautiful rooster, I hope he recovers quickly!
On March 9, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Estella says:
Beautiful.
On March 9, 2010 at 6:16 pm
r w says:
you just need to face facts . . . you have porch chickens. I had a porch duck once … it’s not all that bad. Invest in a nice putty knife with a comfortable wooden handle!
On March 9, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Shirley Corwin says:
Yep, I vote for their own little condo! I love your stories. It’s amazing how she cleaned and preened his feathers. I never knew about all the drama that goes on in the world of chickens!!
On March 9, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Dessa says:
Awwwweeeee…I have a crooked little hen too who is the only chicken that I allow up into the our top yard with the dogs. They are on strict orders to leave her alone so she comes up and eats a bowl of moist chicken food all her own and spends a little time checking out the yard before she finds her way back to the other chickens. Her name is Toughy because I could tell from the time she was a little chick that that twisted beak of hers was going to give her a “tough” time. I just love her, though.
On March 9, 2010 at 8:51 pm
SuzzyQ says:
Tears are falling all over the world tonight as we read this amazing love story. Incredibly sweet
and what devotion!
On March 9, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Kim Gibson says:
I offer my professional services in building and decorating your penthouse Crooked Chicken and Hyde Condo, overlooking all other lowlife mean nasty brutish and shortlived rooster-type critters. My only fee to be your promise to never stop writing such wonderful tales!
On March 9, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Sandra says:
Drip, drip, splash…it’s good to know that there are lots of us tender-hearted people in the world. I was telling my husband just last night that I think that all animals have feelings.
On March 10, 2010 at 8:49 am
Beth in Texas says:
Awwww. You made me cry.
On March 10, 2010 at 9:17 am
Tea4too0 says:
Geez Suzanne, now my nose is all stuffy. Loved the story. I had to find a new home for my “Mean Rooster”. He flogged me and I had to make a trip to the clinic for antibiotics. He messed my hand up pretty bad. I have another rooster tho, and he is much nicer. Hopefully he won’t turn mean, seeing as now he is “Cock of the Walk”. He does have the 5 girls all to himself now.
On March 10, 2010 at 1:35 pm
kerri says:
Oh, poor Mr. Hyde! How sweet that the crooked little hen cleaned him up after his brutal beating. Such a touching story. Animals can be almost human. I think that’s the title of a book I read long ago 🙂 I hope you can find a safe place for them to live so you won’t be looking at a messy porch and walking in chicken poop. That must be very hard to take.
On March 10, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Mary says:
Srsly? How can you think of thwarting true love? Let the rooster stay! 😉
On March 10, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Alyce Shane says:
I literally got teary eyed!!! LOL! Oh my goodness! I’m such a sap!
On March 15, 2010 at 11:54 am
Karen Thomason says:
Just found you site via Leigh, Come by Chance. I love it! This was such a cute and sweet story. I’m a big sap! Do you write children’s books? Is there a way to follow?
On March 19, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Lisabeth Olson says:
I have to admit like everyone else, this is one teary eyed chicken story. I have 85 or so chickens andI don’t have a crooked beaker. I am informed by your story of true life for the chic and her beau.
On October 31, 2010 at 11:29 pm