Five years ago I bought my first group of hybrid hens.
Out of the twelve that came to the field only six old hens now remain and these live out their lives in relative peace with Stanley the aging cockerel and Angostura the bad tempered guinea fowl.
The old hens keep out of the limelight. They potter away from the vital and more "aggressive" hens and seem to enjoy their quiet retirement at the bottom of the field in the twilight sheltered accommodation zone between duck house and pig pen.
They all reminded me of how we as a society often view our older population.......they are in essence invisible.
They demand little, they "keep themselves to themselves" and in many ways they are basically thought of as being "unproductive"
Yet the old hens on the field are old for a reason.
They remain the most robust and brightest hens under my care. They are first to shelter in bad weather,, they understand just where the danger points are within the field borders and when danger rears its ugly head, they understand the only too well where to go to keep safe.
For the most part, it has been the kindness and experience of the older people of Trelawnyd that has affected me here in Trelawnyd.....this morning Pat, who wont be upset when I say , is well over retirement age, called down yet again to wrestle the much improved piglet into submission in order that I could inject her with another 1 ml of antibiotic...she will help me again tomorrow and again on Friday and will do so with good humour and care.
The red faced Welsh farmer, who again is in his seventh decade hurled great bags of wood shavings over the gate a couple of days ago for bedding for the pigs and birds, and he did so without wanting anything in return.....as does Auntie Gladys who walked the length of the village just to leave us a carrier bag full of scones.
Ok I wont get too saccharine here.
We all know that some OAPs are the most selfish and insanely miserable old gits ever seen on the planet....but like my old hens, most that I come into contact here...are adroit old characters and dear friends
Right off now for a study day at work...... a day of health and safety......resuscitation and fire safety.......
(PHOTO Whoopie Goldberg)
oh joy!
And it's taken you 50 years to realise this, Jwn? Village life is filled with generosity, with the most generous usually being those close to retirement, or already retired.
ReplyDeleteWise words there, John. Good to know that your old hens are given due respect, and your farm not a process line.
ReplyDeletecro
ReplyDeleteI have always been a late starter!
Hello John:
ReplyDeleteWe rather like the thought of your wise colony of mature birds spending their days at leisure away from the hurly burly. Rather like the groups of old women to be seen throughout Budapest, who gather on benches in the shade to put the world to rights.
Seems to me John that your old hens could teach on the Health and Safety day - I let my old hens live out their lives in peace - the one that is sitting at the moment is at least ten years old - I bred her myself and she is of indeterminate breed.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your village old people and how they help you - I agree about some old people but you must also consider how well YOU and your partner have fitted into and taken part in village life. I was an incomer and I know how much villagers appreciate you becoming a real part of life rather than furnishing your house with the latest fashions, manicuring your garden updating you car every three years and clearing off every week back to your job, only appearing at weekends.
Do give your selves credit too.
Wonderful post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCountry life is always like that mostly, I think.
ReplyDeleteBecause people still remember what's important.
Training days. Got to love them. ;)
Happy Wednesday to you all! :)
I agree! Great post, now if the extemely young adults would realize the wisdom of the elders, the world would be a much better place.
ReplyDeleteIn some places in the states, they have started programs where the elderly are sharing their skills and knowledge with the youngsters...I always thought that was the way it should and is in my family.
You are so correct. Those rampaging dogs only took my silly princess hens. Unfortunately the princesses WERE the best layers - but don't rampaging dogs say that about all the girls?
ReplyDeleteMy mum is like those Trelawnyd folk you write of. A gem, a shining, lifeworn gem.
Some odes to chickens for you John:
As a stone is polished by friction, so is chicken perfected by trial. Victor Hugo.
If you want to see true evil, look into the eye of a chicken. Oscar Wilde.
We need to treausre our oldsters. They are the ones who will remember how to survive when all our modern gadgets fail us.
ReplyDeleteJohn I love the idea of sheltered housing for hens!! Do they get Meals on Wheels too? Kathy
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you hang onto your old hens. We had a hen here once named Turtle, long story, that easily lived to be 10.
ReplyDeleteLove this post John! It IS amazing how we as a society 'push' our elders to the background to essentially be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteWe could learn a thing or two from 'other' societies/cultures......the Chinese for example hold the elders in great esteem till the end and they are integral pasts of the family.
Not many listen to this old hen, around here.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point in getting old unless you CAN turn into an insane miserable old git - that's surely one of the perks!
ReplyDeleteI'm watching an episode of the BBC's 'Waiting for God' for some OAP tips...
Lovely post, Jwn the dogs. I'm sure the older villagers who have helped you see that you do as you'd be done by, and they do the same.
ReplyDeletemegan
I just love older people. Maybe because my grandparents raised me a lot of my life. Oh sure as you say some are cranky little toots, but then that can be said for any age group :O).
ReplyDeleteI find they know a lot about things I enjoy. Gardening, canning etc. They usually are so willing to share that knowledge.
One of the most important things that I've learned "in my old age" is that NAPS are truly a gift to be enjoyed...
ReplyDeleteYou said, "I have always been a late starter!"
ReplyDeleteThat's perfectly fine darling, as long as you finish with a flourish!
~
I don't think you were saccharine at all! I think you stated it beautifully! With the crabby old gits, I always try to remember that crabbiness can be a symptom of heart trouble.
Ta!
meggs.
I'm looking forward to becoming a productive old biddy in my retirement, too, which starts at the end of this month.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your mandatory training ;)
ReplyDeleteJane
As a newly qualified OAP, I am looking forward to being a miserable selfish old git. I need to start practising!
ReplyDeleteAsian cultures mostly revere the elderly. We would do well to copy them in that respect. Just for the record, I was an odd child, always prefering the company of interesting old folks to know-it-all kids. Guess I still do.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Made me think of some of the things I learned from my elderly hospice patients...
ReplyDelete1) How to run a table saw
2) a home remedy for the 1918 bird flu
3) how to option trade in the markets
4) how to stay safe in the box car when jumping a train
5) how to celebrate a Bavarian yuletide
6) the absolute necessity of paying off a home mortgage
7) how to stack dead bodies after an attack on home soil
8) what the bedding was made out of in Nazi concentration camps
8) how much stronger we all are than I ever, EVER imagined.
Dxoxox