vegetables
vegetables at Alektorophobia is a file of 4 stories. The newest of them: “My chickens turn their beaks up at marigolds: anyone else own feathered food critics?”, “Celery Sticks for Cluck's Sake: A Crunchy Treat or Fowl Play?”, and “My Hen Hatched a Veggie Omelet: Four Chicks, Zero Tomatoes”. You plant a little marigold patch, dream of hens pecking at bright petals, and they just stare at you like you're serving lawn clippings. Chickens got her good, but that didn't stop us from wondering about the green crunch factor. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every vegetables story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
My chickens turn their beaks up at marigolds: anyone else own feathered food critics?
You plant a little marigold patch, dream of hens pecking at bright petals, and they just stare at you like you're serving lawn clippings. That's the life with feathered food critics. This keeper tried everything: fresh marigolds, plucked petals, a whole herb garden they lovingly tended. Nope. Not a single peck. But hand them a bell pepper or some pomegranate seeds, and suddenly they're gourmands. It's a fowl mystery, really. The grazing box works, so we're not judging their taste too harshly. It's a good reminder that chickens have their own weird little palates. If you're dealing with similar snubs, you're in good company. And for more feathery antics, check out our piece on a broody hen's fowl play with quail eggs.
Celery Sticks for Cluck's Sake: A Crunchy Treat or Fowl Play?
Chickens got her good, but that didn't stop us from wondering about the green crunch factor. So, can chickens eat celery? Short answer: yes, with a caveat or two. Celery's stringy texture can be a bit of a fowl play situation for their crops, so chop it into tiny, manageable pieces first. My flock goes absolutely bonkers for it, especially on a hot day when that water content hits just right. It's not a nutritional powerhouse, but it's a fun, low-calorie treat that adds a little enrichment to their pecking routine. Just don't let it replace their main feed. Speaking of feathery chaos, our recent tale of "Chickens Got Her Good!
My Hen Hatched a Veggie Omelet: Four Chicks, Zero Tomatoes
Well, here's a plot twist: this hen decided my raised garden bed was basically a five-star nursery. She planted herself on five eggs and a side of cherry tomatoes, because why not mix business with a snack? Today, four of those eggs hatched, and I'm relieved to report she's finally given up on the idea of hatching the tomatoes. Smart bird, honestly. There's a fine line between dedicated motherhood and just being extra, and she was teetering on it. It's a silly, cluck-tastic reminder that chickens really do keep us on our toes. For more feathery chaos, check out our piece on "Chickens Got Her Good!", it's right up this garden bed's alley.
Snack time standoff: when the cucumber calls and the nest wins.
There's a special kind of chaos that happens when a broody hen meets a cucumber, and honestly, I'm here for it. One minute you're ready to hiss at the world, and the next, a crisp snack completely changes the game. That's the beauty of our feathered friends; they keep us guessing. This little moment of fowl play is peak backyard poultry energy, and it reminds me why we love these quirky creatures so much. If you're in the mood for more chick-filled adventures, you might also enjoy our piece on "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!" because, let's face it, you can never have too many baby bird stories. Cluck-tastic, right?