The Amazing Blindy
Ours is not the proper farm. In fact, I hate to, but must admit that I am probably the worst farmer on the earth. I am too tender hearted. But, back to blindy. I don't remember how she ended up with our other chickens. Our flock is mixed...some "strays" a rescue or two and a couple of our own home grown. We noticed one day that she was having some problems seeing the food, etc and realized that she was going blind. Once we determined that it was not something that was going to infect or effect the whole chicken gang we thought we would just take a wait and see approach. I was sure that she would be picked off by a hawk or wander off into the woods. None of that happened.
Blindy, free from the human tendency toward self-pity, has soldiered on. She began making her way along carefully feeling each step with her long toes and memorizing her paths. We found ourselves making sure that the water bowl outside the pen and the chicken "snack station" at the back porch was always in the same place so she could find it. Then we noticed that the other chickens were actually looking out for her and calling to her so she could keep up. Early on there were the occasional slip-ups when she got turned around and headed in the wrong direction, got tangled in undergrowth or got out of ear shot of the others. But for the most part, when we went looking for her and called for her she would reorient and find her way back. The worst incident was when she wandered out with the cows. Now cows are pretty tough, especially to little things that walk right toward them, and they were sort of playing soccer with her. Fortunately I saw the weird soccer game and rescued her. That was year 1. We are now in year 3 since she went blind. I never expected that she would get along so well this long. She has weathered the weather...although she did need to be rescued from hurricane Sandy. She has continued to be a good egg layer, heading into her nesting box every day to leave us fine eggs. She free ranges with all the other chickens and while the foxes have taken a few of our Guineas, Blindy marches on. What a treat she has been, kind of a chicken inspiration to us. She likes to ride in the truck with Ed and is happy to be picked up and carried as long as you don't sneak up on her. She is a survivor.
So while I am a wimpy farmer, I am gaining from our animals,worlds of experience in just plain courage and resilience. They amaze and astound me on a daily basis. Blindy doesn't know that she is blind..or what blind is. I have no idea how long we will have Blindy...but I'm glad we have her amd all our animals today.
