The Great Chicken Adventure

 Yesterday, 37 kids, 4 adults, and 14 chickens took a mile trip up a steep hill. The adventure began with the loading of the chickens into their former home, the brooder. The kids gingerly put them into their respective brooders, loaded them into the back of the large, black pick-up truck, and slammed the tailgate shut. The poor hens (plus one maybe two roosters) squawked their disapproval.  They have outgrown their former brooder and these chickies are not a fan of change. 

The truck slowly made its way down the gravel driveway while we followed behind.  Being that they were in a truck, the chickens made their way to the top of the hill WAY before us. As the chickens waited for us at the top of the hill,  the students and teachers began our climb up the hill.  We began our journey with excitement and raised voices.  Some kids were super excited to be going on an adventure - I mean who doesn't like an adventure but others lamented the loss of recess, the hill was too steep, and various other complaints.  (kids will be kids!) 

When we thought we couldn't climb anymore and could barely catch our breath, we made it.  It seemed the kids all wondered who asked me to go first - I work out every day and this was just another opportunity for me to get steps in.  One student said to me, "I bet this isn't a big deal for you, you already worked out today.  At least you got another workout!" Once the stragglers finally made it, we began to unload our chickens.  They were still squawking and showing their disapproval at the change. The kids talked to them and told them all about their big adventure as they carried them to the Victory Gardens.

See at my school, we have 40 acres of land.  Each grade level has a year-long project that they work on.  Fifth Grade has a victory garden, fashioned after the victory gardens of WWII.   Fourth Graders raise chickens.  My partner teacher and our environmental education teacher thought it would be a great idea to have our chickens till the soil of the victory garden.  So, here we were with 14 chickens ready for their first taste of grass, weeds, and a dust bath.  

The garden beds were adorned with make-shift teepee-like structures to keep predators out.  Once the new runs were secure, we placed our chickens inside.  They were so shocked but seemed happy about their new adventure.  They pecked the ground, rolled around some, and soaked up the sun.  We realized they are constantly in the shade, this was their first experience with the full-on sun!  Now the chickens were all set to begin their adventure.  We say and watched them for a bit, talked with the fifth graders some, and then began our descent.

Going down the hill is way easier than going up.  We talked about how happy the chickens seemed and wondered if they would enjoy their adventure.  Some kids were excited about our adventure, some kids not so much, some began to realize we would have to make the trip back up the hill to bring them home - that is a lot of walking in a day! 

All in all, the chickens had a fantastic time!  No one got out, they tilled the soil a bit and had a chance at freedom.  The only hiccup was we think one of our chickens got sunburned - who knew that could happen! Our great chicken adventure was a success. We can't wait to take the roosters up next time!  The question is will be roosters enjoy the Great Chicken Adventure too?