Six Leghorn Hens !

Please consider buying free-range eggs, much better for you and the chickens who lay them!

That summer's day had been fine and pleasantly clement
so with sickle and spade, I took matters firmly in hand
adjoining an old wooden shed where none did frequent,
I began the reclamation of a small plot of overgrown land

I rolled up my sleeves and worked all through the day
uprooting dense thicket, shifting boulders and rocks,
cleared up the loose debris and without further delay
erected a sturdy stockade to ward off any curious fox

Then finally on completion, a sanctuary fit for habitation
I set off to a poultry producer to purchase a few laying hens
and on arrival, I was led to a scene of mass retardation,
thousands of chickens all enclosed within cramped, wire pens

Though shocked and disturbed at just what I observed
was this the only existence these hybrid hens ever knew?
On noting my demeanour of someone rather perturbed
came a terse remark, " sure it's what they're used too"!

Whilst stood there pondering, bewildered and gaping
six bedraggled leghorn hens were extracted from a cage
then placed inside a cloth sac, to prevent each from escaping
so accepting my wares, I paid the proprietor and left in a rage!

When I returned home with my newly acquired additions
slowly one at a time I removed each from the cloth sac
but unaware of release from servitude's cruel attritions,
six hapless hens crouched motionless, as if under imminent attack!

It took several days of gentle persuasion and loving care
before six traumatised leghorns realised this was no dream,
for intensive institutionalisation is every chicken's worst nightmare
as slowly but surely they began to roam free, scratch and preen

Now we all have a bucket list of things to do before we die
and I too have my ambitions but this I solemnly affirm,
if suddenly I am called home, I'll go to my grave a contented guy
for I'm proud to have given six hens, the chance to peck for a worm!

Author's Note

Please consider buying only free range eggs, these chickens have a much happier existence as opposed to their poor battery caged and meal fed siblings !

Reviews

[Norman T]

What a great social expose of the callous attitude that governs our food production. How much is justified for need, or greed has always been a thorn in my side. We buy all our produce from local farmers who are organic and humane with their livestock.
More power to your elbow, Tom.

Norman

[Tom]

The way to go Norman and thanks for your encouraging review !

[Beccy]

It's one of the very worst aspects of farming ever as far as I'm concerned. I know that mankind has to be fed, but battery caged is the most awful thing. I have never, ever bought anything but free range.

I wonder what a week in such horrible conditions would do to those interested only in the bottom line.

[Tom]

Thank you Beccy for your welcome and wise words !

[Marie]

A wonderful thing you have done for these Leghorns Tom. Now if you can only teach them to play cricket...

[Tom]

That's the next stage Marie lol.....& thank you for your visit !

[Woody]

haha that's a good one marie.

[Sheila Kline]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes..........did I say, "YES"!! It has long been the only kind of eggs I will buy as I strive to eat "natural, organic, no additives, no GMO" which is a challenge but well worth it!! I have recently had blood work and it is the best it has ever been for an old hen past her prime....LOL, and I am convinced the concerted effort to eat proper, healthy, compassionate food is the reason!

What you did Tom was a very noble gesture!! But, I am not surprised as you have such a kind and loving heart and spirit. So many just don't care!! This brings back memories of my time on our family farm where we had free roaming chickens and the eggs were superb! Oh yes, I picked many a fresh egg right from the hen house.......yummy, especially the double yokers!

Your rhyming is superb, your story telling is fantastic!!!

[Tom]

Thank you Sheila and yes indeed, we are both singing from the same hymn sheet....lol