Connections

We’re now 10 weeks into the Berry birds retirement. Their feathers are growing back beautifully and their combs have brightened and straightened.
They’ve settled in really well.

But we’re still in avian lockdown, so they haven’t been able to leave the run and free range in the woodland. We haven’t really been able to make the connection we did with the older girls.

Ten weeks in with both the Chicken-Bottoms (now just Henrietta and Princess) and the Birdie-Girls (queenie and sweetpea), they were happily jumping on our knees for cuddles and taking corn and grapes from our hands. (In queenies case often insisting on being hand fed).

The Berry-birds have not had that level of contact, and it’s very telling. They are still slightly nervous of us not quite sure if we are friend or foe (although we clearly mean “food”).

I know that once the avian flu lockdown is over and they can come out with us we’ll make that connection with them.

It’s the same with our own lockdown, which feels like forever, but will end.

We’ll have to remake those connections again, perhaps not with close family and dear friends, but with colleagues and friends that you may not have seen for a year. We’ve all been through our own lockdown journey, some will have been affected more than others.

Please remember, when we do get back, to be kind, be patient with others and please make the effort to connect and reconnect.

Just as hens are flock birds, we humans need to be with other people.