Welcome to Henrietta’s Hillside Retreat for Mature Hens (Henrietta is the brown and cream colored one in the front)
“No more chicks,” Russ, my husband said, with enough vehemence that I understood he probably wouldn’t change his mind.
“But Henrietta is the last one left of our little flock, and chickens are social animals. She needs company.” I tried one last time.
“Well, adult hens are okay, but I don’t want to go through raising chicks again.”
I nodded my agreement, but an idea had sprung to mind. What did people who kept hens for eggs, do when their hens got too old to lay? Maybe I could give these old hens a happy retirement. And they would provide company for Henrietta who was getting to be an old lady herself.
After listening to one of the women in my Pilates class talk about her chickens, I asked if she had any old hens that were no longer laying that she would like to pass along. Two weeks later, she brought over 3 hens. We let them loose and watched as they started to nibble the grass. Henrietta watched from afar, but by the next day they were all together. The new hens were not used to being able to roam in a fenced yard, with 2 pear trees, 2 apple trees, a mulberry and a persimmon. Apparently delighted with their new freedom, they started to lay eggs again. A surprising but welcome development.
Once the word got out, I was given more hens, and am up to 15, including 10 varieties, with varying sizes, colors, plumage, and temperaments. Because Henrietta, who is now the matriarch of the flock, inspired this project, I named it after her. When I get a sign, it will read: Henrietta’s Hillside Retreat for Mature Hens.
Sorry to say, I’m at full capacity and have had to start a waitlist. There is a surprising amount of drama at Henrietta’s Retreat. Stay tuned for updates.