Chicken Catcher

Our neighbors next door have, what seems to me, a small farm.  They have a chicken coop stocked with egg-laying hens, a half-dozen sheep, and a few ducks.  During the day, the chickens will fly over the fence and walk through our yard (both front and back) hunting for bugs to eat.  The kids love seeing them outside and have had fun chasing them around.  Daddy noticed this and created, what he thought, was an innocent game of "chicken catching".
Chickens are quick and it became a game of skill and speed to catch them.  Justin gave the kids instructions on how to catch the chickens properly and the importance of being gentle.  Lily became a pro very quickly and had no problem following instructions.  However, we did not realize that Jackson did not quite get it.

About two weeks ago, we were grilling outside and preparing dinner while the kids were out back playing with the chickens.  I just happened to look over to check on them when I saw that one chicken was crouched down and Jackson was "patting" it rather roughly on its back.  I cautioned him to be gentle with the chicken!  He started patting more gently, so I continued with my dinner prep.  A few minutes later, Jackson had moved on to play with Lily.  I noticed that the chicken was not moving, but still laying fairly flat on the grass.  I told Daddy who decided to go take a look.  He picked up the chicken, still alive, and decided to put it back in its coop.  The chicken was able to walk, albeit slowly.  Nervous that Jackson may have broken its back, Justin apologized to our neighbor in advance should it not survive.  Thankfully, we have kind and understanding neighbors!

Unfortunately, the chicken did not make it.  In the words of the granddaughter of our neighbor, "It walked over slowly to get a drink, took a deep breath, then fell over". Oh my...what a dramatic end!

Feeling terrible that our son killed one of their chickens, Daddy made it his mission to replace it.  He contacted a friend who knew of a chicken hatchery close by and today they brought home not one, but two chickens!  Lily picked them out herself and the neighbors were very happy to receive them!

So, needless to say, the game of "chicken catching" has come to an end!  There are moments when I ask myself, "Is this really my life?!"  Yes, yes it is.

Daddy is holding "Izzy"- Lily's chicken.  Lily is holding "Lion"- Jackson's chicken.  The kids named their own :)