Chick Football and other Chicken Games

Our little Ladies are growing and constantly reminding us of some important lessons - patience, determination, and laughter.

Today laughter was the big lesson of the day.  Who knew chicks could be so funny?!  We are all enjoying watching the games they play.  My favorite is Chick Football.  This game can be played with a blueberry, a small piece of tomato, or even a small pine shaving.  The Ladies seem to prefer the tomato as the prop for this game.   This is a high speed game that could be announced by an accomplished sportscaster.  It all begins when we put a small dish of pieces of tomato down and call them "Chook, chook, chook."  They all run over.  Inevitably Jiji plays quarterback and grabs the "ball" and makes a run for the endzone.  She zooms all over the brooder as fast as she can, peeping all the while.  I think she may be trash talking the other birds.  The other four simply ignore the remaining pieces and play the position of defenders.  There are plenty of tomatoes for everyone but as any toddler knows - the only toy worth having is the one that your playmate has!  There is much fumbling and intercepting and complicated blockade plays.  The ball changes beaks many times.  Occasionally Luna will  conduct an aerial attack which I think the NFL would call a penalty on.  It doesn't seem to matter how big player you are.  Sometimes the little ones like Bella and Heddy have the benefit of squeezing through the blockade.  The quarter is over when someone swallows the  ball.... uh the tomato.  The next quarter begins when the next quarterback finds another "ball."  At times more than one ball is in play on the field and chaos ensues.  As soon as all the tomatoes are gone it's time for some water and a nap.

Jiji the Quarterback

Another fun game is "Angry Birds."  You all know what that is right?  Well it's not that different in the brooder.  One chick sits on the perch minding their own business - perhaps even sleeping.  While another bird...or two...or four streak through the brooder, catch some air and knock the dozing chick off the perch.  We think there is a "King of the Hill" element also as whoever knocks the chick off - usually hops up on the perch at least until they too are knocked off.

Just a reminder to us all to stop every once in a while and play some crazy game and have so much fun that you need to take a nap!