Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Making "Nice" With Chickens.

Yesterday, I taught Isaac the fine art of digging for worms... truly one of my favorite outdoor activities. Hands digging through damp, sweet smelling dirt is always a treat for the senses. And he - being a boy and all - thought it was great too. We found lots of wriggling worms ... which Isaac thought were pretty neat ... then I showed him how we can make some very tight friendships with the chickens if we offer these worms up to them as treats. Well, then he thought this endeavor was down-right amazing!

Hand feeding chickens ... who are generally skiddish by nature ... can be so much fun. And the chicken you see here is among our friendliest. She is my favorite bird in all the world ... Chicken Jane. I hand fed her as a baby chick. So, whenever she sees me digging through the dirt, she comes a-running and joins in the feast. Now Isaac is learning to form his own relationship with her - and it is wonderful to watch.

It is so important for our childrens' souls that we parents model kind and respectful behavior toward animals. We nurture such tender hearts that way. And my Isaac has such a great respect for life because of it. I am so proud of him. And let's face it ... to make friends with a chicken is just so cool! Especially when they follow you around the yard ... cooing ... and cuddle up in your lap when you take a rest on the lawn. One of the greatest treats of the spring/summer seasons.

Oh.. But then Jack often comes around to ruin it all ...

(Notice the fleeing chickens ...) Still ... we also love Jack too :)

Enjoy the day,

Love,

Jodi

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a brave boy! Chickens scare me a little. I love that last shot, the dog looks so proud in in his element.

Check out my blog today, I gave you a much delayed thank you and shout out for your lovely spring cards! (Thank you, thank you, thank you)

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

I love your chickens!! and your little boy looks like an mazing sweetheart, feeding yummy worms to them chickies...I love that!

I found you through fliker for the creative family, just in browsing and could not help but leave comment. I am building my own chicken tractor. I can't wait to get me some chicks!!! Come on buy my blog: the good.the bad.the ugly. and let me know if I am doing it right.

Perla said...

what a fantastic post! i let andre read it with me. he asked, "is that my baby brother?" about isaac. and then, "i want to do that!" of course he does! great photos and what a fantastic thing for a child to get to do with his mama!

Lara said...

How awesome Jodi...what a wonderful gift you have given Isaac! I love the picture of him looking at Chicken Jane.

Alexis said...

Oh, I can't wait until we get our chickens! What fun it will be for my girls! Still in the planning stages though... I love the last photo :) Good luck with the move.

Jodi Renshaw said...

Thank you all for your comments. I will try to write to you each individually soon - but am still moving in right now. Very exciting :)

Hope you are all well,
Jodi

Anonymous said...

wow.
i really loved that one.
it was great.
your parenting is fantastic from what I can see, I hope your son truly benefits from what you teach him.
the pictures rock.