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I can't say I remember too much about what it was like breaking out of that yolky shell and seeing light for the first time. I do remember feeling free, the sensation of air on my fluffy down, and the noise. I had to join in with the joyful chirping. Just couldn't help myself.

In no time at all my fellow noisemakers and I were gathered together and enclosed in a container and transported to a new location. It was a real depot. Things were so busy, all kinds of hustling about until I was with 2 others, and we were brought HOME.

My first day! and here I am home safe in the hands of Grandpa Phil.

We settled right in with satisfying crunchy food, fresh water and comfortable bedding.

That's me, Lee!

Brightly and Victoria sampled the chick food right away and it was good!

(Now Silas begins typing in his own words. We'll call him @schick for today.)

we like to rest in our comfy new beding

one day msr.caretaker put a roosting bar in our box. it was a graet roosting bar.

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we groo and groo and groo and groo intil we wer able to go out side and meet Mr. O!.

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He was very curious about us and very protective. He didn't let any thing else approach us.

He showed us around and even let us share some of his bugs and fruit and all the other scrumptious things around the yard.

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I need to confess now, first of all, that it has been a difficult life for me. Mr. O! left us one day so we no longer had his loud crowing, glaring eyes and protective stance to keep us safe from dogs, foxes and hawks.

Oh, what shall we do on our own?

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Tragedy!

Then, I don't really know how to explain this, but one day when I was in my private spot, privately laying my egg for the day, I heard a lot of ruckus. I finished my business as soon as I could and ran out to find two dogs, not our dog Cali, but two strange, young, out-of-control dogs, chasing Brightly and Victoria!

OH MY!

It was indeed horrible. I ran up to the highest spot I could find on the deck railing near Cali and KittyKate and we watched in horror as these beasts shook them and left them bloody and broken.

(WARNING! Please do not read the next sentence if you are at all sensitive.)

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The snow was all bloody and covered with the feathers of my sisters.

(Photos deleted here due to regulations made up by SOMEONE. Go complain to them if you really want to see the gory mess.)

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I really do not like to think about that day! I hovered around near the front door and cried a lot. Eventually I got used to my status as the only chicken --- and I was lonely. Let me tell you so you can feel it...I was LONELY.

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Hope arrived one day when I heard chirping coming from the people house. New chicks!!!!!! I fondly remembered the NOISE.

Oh I was lucky; that gave me so much hope!

They grew bigger and stronger and were finally moved into the chicken house. I gladly moved out of the coop so they could settle in, anticipating the day when we could meet beak to beak.

Tragedy Again!

One morning when I was wandering around in the garden I sensed disturbance and hovered 'round near the coop. I looked through the fencing, trembling at the sight of one of those chicks, or some of one of those chicks, actually only the head of one of those chicks.

I saw a fox pacing back and forth in the distance.

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Later that day I was carried back into the cleaned coop with new bedding and, oh well, how can I say it?

Those new little chickens I had been so longing to meet and show around and make friends with...they were gone

and once again I was alone.

And stuck inside the coop!

I was miserable.

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Terror!

Soon I was allowed into the yard again.

A big dog came up out of the woods and ran at me, mouth open, teeth biting. He got ahold of my tail feathers and one of my wings.

Another thing I must confess:

I have inherited super powers from the Buff.

I used them to escape! I have quick reflexes, excellent eyesight, and mighty feet.

I flew around, spinning so fast that I tired out that dog. I stopped flying in circles and spun him around. He had to let go of me as he was slammed to the ground face first. (Sorry for this violent description but it did happen this way.)

He jumped up and ran off.

I escaped!

I ran, wounded as I was, and hid in the back woods for so long. Oh, it hurt so much and my tail end was cold. Dogs!, the bane of my existence.

I came out eventually as I heard @bchick calling me. I crouched down in front of her and she picked me up.

And there I was, stuck in the coop again. I do not like that coop! but at least it was safe.

Now I have a little run but I could at least fly over the fence into the newly planted garden where the little greens were so tasty. I cannot tell you how frustrating it was as more and more fences were put up and I could see all that good green stuff growing, delectable worms just peaking out of the rich soil, all almost within reach, but not actually reachable anymore.

Indignity after indignity, and then what little I had left of my wings were clipped.

^Clipped

^{Photo credit @schick}

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Oh well. @bchick came out often to visit and I pecked at the special treats she brought. I got seeds and leftover bread, and fruit ...all kinds of tasty treats. I figured out that all I had to do was give a big squawk! and out she came, bearing more treats.

I had her trained! Ha Ha!

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It is terrifying out here. Maybe this little place I am enclosed in, once again, is not so bad after all.

Enclosures, Terror, DOGS! but HOPE

All photos and writing credit goes to @schick and @bchick.