An EGG-citing Morning

Every morning I go out and let the ladies out of their coop to run around and chase bugs, to play, and forage.  However today, I had a couple of errands to run so before I left, I put them in the run.  As I was getting everyone together, I noticed one of the ladies walking off to my left, over by the shed.  I just went ahead and finished putting the others in, knowing that when I called her and shook the bag of oatmeal, she'd come running.

When I was finished corralling all the ladies and the babies and put them in their different runs, and gave them all food and water, it was time to go get the girl.  I called her and shook the oatmeal bag but nothing.  I tried again, nothing.  This is very strange, they always come when I call them.  After 15 minutes of calling and searching, nothing.

Then, all of a sudden, I heard a noise.  I listened carefully.......it was my sweet lady, and she was talking to me.  She said, "HERE I AM, MOM!" Well, at least that's what it sounded like to me!  lol  "There you are!  Come on, baby....come get a treat!"  But she didn't move.  I continued to call her and she continued to stay right where she was.   By this time almost twenty minutes have passed.  Normally I would have just gone over and picked her up, but she was in the back yard in the wooded, overgrown area over the rock bed and creek……where the snakes are.  And anyone who knows me, knows that I am deathly afraid of snakes.  Yes, I’ll admit it….I’m a 6’1” AMAZON WEENIE! 

After getting a little bit closer and watching my baby for a few minutes, I realized she was stuck in briary branches.  It looked like she was inside a bird cage made of weeds.  OH, GREAT!  Now I really DO have to go into the woods.  (insert terrified l-00-k here)

By this time, Kiddo has come out wondering what is taking me so long. I told him what was going on and asked him to stay with me while I went into the woods and that I needed him with me in case I got attacked by a ferocious snake and I needed him to run to the neighbor’s house for help.  “Oh, Mom!” was his response!  Lol

So, with snow shovel in hand, I went one square foot at a time, plowing through brush, climbing over rocks and the creek and banging my shovel, all the while shouting at the top of my lungs.  (if the neighbors didn’t think I was crazy enough after chasing a rabid raccoon into the creek, they sure will know I am now)   After a few minutes, I finally get right up my sweet lady…..and she gets up and runs away.  "Hey, come back here............. I thought you were stuck?”

Then I saw something on the ground.  Am I really seeing what I think I’m seeing? 

Yup, I certainly was.  My sweet girl was laying her eggs in the woods.  Honestly, I am a little perplexed.  When I find out a reason for this, I will let you know.  After I found the eggs and took a picture, I always have my camera with me) I immediately stopped and scanned the ground.  Eggs ~ snakes……GET OUT OF THE WOODS!  I don’t think I have ever moved so fast in my life.  LOL

When I got my sweetie back in the run, I took the eggs inside to check them over. I am happy to say that all the eggs were good.....WOO HOO!