We are out in the brush today, trying to get as close as we can to a fearless, predatory chicken, as it stalks prey. Parts of the pasture have just been mowed, leaving many insects exposed and vulnerable. For a chicken on the hunt, it’s hard to imagine better conditions to go hunting.
You can see the intensity in her eyes. With the grass and brush cut this low, insects don’t dare move. The slightest movement on their part, and they are doomed. Predatory chickens stab their prey with lightening speed. As far as an insect or field mouse is concerned, if a chicken can see them, their lives are over.
Another chicken has joined in the hunt. She’s noticed the other hen darting here and there so she knows the hunting is good. Soon more chickens will join in the hunt, like sharks drawn to chum.
By the end of the day, the hunting chickens will have devoured thousands and thousands of insects. Those that escape the carnage will have nightmares for the rest of their lives.
An Acre To Herself
Chickens are social birds. They like to roost together. During the day they’ll hang out together in a dirt bath and gossip and kvetch. Hens will cavort with roosters and lead them on. But they also like to get away and be by themselves. They will meander off into the woods or deep into the pasture all on their own.
I read an article in Modern Farmer by Tyler LeBlanc titled Virtual Reality for Chickens – Is this the future of free range? According to the article, Austin Stewart, a young assistant professor from Iowa State University, has designed a virtual world chickens can see by wearing a Oculus Rift headset. He’s even set up a website, Second Livestock, where he discusses his ideas of giving caged or confined animals the experience of being outdoors by wearing virtual reality headsets.
It makes me wonder if either Tyler LeBlanc or Austin Stewart have even seen a live chicken. The experience of being outdoors on pasture and in woodland, is much more than just seeing those things. It is about touching the tall grass, feeling the brush, scratching the dirt with their toes, pulling earthworms out of the ground, and hunting down a field mouse. And with headsets on, how in the world are these chickens going to preen themselves?