THE STORY OF LUCKY
Lucky lived in a henhouse with her hen friends until the day she was the last one remaining.
Her owner felt sorry for her so he carried her over to Hannah and Ron's and there she adapted to her new environment. That was, of course, after the ruckus that went on with the other chicks who wanted nothing to do with her. Yet, her winning personality won them over and there she lived, laying eggs and pecking for food until the day she was the last one remaining. Yes, once again.
Hannah and Ron felt sorry for her and so Peter, my husband, and I arrived with a large plastic tote in the back of our Subaru. In she went without a peep of protest. We were gifted shavings and pellets and mealworm, and we headed home, believing our friendly, lovable hens would welcome her in. Lucky enjoyed the ride. We heard only a single short bawk.
Once home, Peter set her into the henhouse. Oh dear!! What a ruckus. Talk about a pecking order! He walked back toward the house, Lucky tucked safely under his arm. "This isn't going to work."
He put up a barrier in the henhouse to protect her; a piece of wire fencing about 5 feet high. He set down food. He cut a piece out of the wire so she could get to the water. She survived the night.
It took a few days but the other hens finally realized Lucky was not a predator. They calmed down. Three days later, Peter entered the henhouse early in the morning and there was Lucky, roosting on the wire. On top of the wire! Not even a quarter of inch to place those chicken feet. There she was, balancing on that wire, swaying back, swaying forward, staying balanced. Well, Peter thought it the funniest thing. He kept wondering how she could have flown up there. It wasn't like she could get a running start. My goodness. This hen is something special.
That day the wire came down, and Lucky was welcomed into the flock.
Now, before I tell you what happened next, you have to realize that these hens have been in retirement. They haven't laid an egg in a long time. Still, we are attached to them and we've accepted that they are comical lawn ornaments that entertain the neighbors.
And then … Lucky laid an egg. Not only did she lay an egg but she put a little swirl flourish on top. Well, by golly. (This is the moment we named her.)
Here's the thing: Our other hens were greatly inspired for about a week later, there were two eggs in the nesting box. A few days ago, there were three. My goodness. We aren't buying eggs anymore; a dozen and a half are in the fridge right now.
So, there you are; the story of Lucky, a pretty hen with a lot of pluck.
