The Secret Life of Chickens

I am a city girl. I have never lived or spent time on a farm. I don’t think I’ve ever even visited a farm and growing up I hated the zoo; it was stank! Since moving to my “casita,” I’ve had the opportunity to be around a lot of chickens. The chickens are one of the few animals I don’t have a problem with, unless it’s in my kitchen sink or running and making loud noises in the wee hours of the morning. The chickens seem harmless and on top of that they taste good! Actually, I need to figure out how to ask my landlord if she would sell one to me because with all these chickens running around, it’s expensive to buy in the "Super", which is similar to a bodega. I paid $8 for two chicken breasts a couple weeks ago… 


Why did the chicken cross the road...

Either way, being here I’ve developed an interest in watching chickens while sitting in my kitchen/dining/living room. They are very fascinating creatures! Who knew?!? I think my roommate thinks I’m crazy because I often tell her excitedly to come watch. One day I saw the “gallina” running around the tree like she was running for her life, so I stopped to watch. The “gallo” then came around the other side jumped on top of her and began pecking her head. I watched in horror because I thought for sure he was gonna kill her as feathers were flying all around! Not to say I wouldn’t have went out, picked it up,  tried my best to feather it and cook it after, but it was still something I had never seen. My landlord’s daughter told me a few days later that that’s where the eggs come from and here I thought I was witnessing a murder!

This guy loves the camera!

I saw this happen again a few days later with the same “gallo”, but this new “gallina” was a little smarter. As the “gallo” chased down another hen trying to make more “huevos” the hen flew up to the leaf of a banana tree.  She was not trying to be caught! I went to the other room and by the time I got back you better believe that rooster was right up there too. Whoever said chickens don’t fly had never seen these chickens! I guess every male species is persistent when it comes to “chasing” a female.

At night, things get even more interesting even though I can’t see the chickens. Some nights in the wee hours of the morning it will be very quiet; the dog isn’t barking and the iguanas aren’t scratching on the roof. All of a sudden you hear running footsteps going “muy rapido”. I don’t know what it is until the “gallo” starts clucking like it is dawn and time for everyone to get up. While I can’t see them, I imagine the rooster is out chasing another hen because that’s the only time they run, other than when they are scared of humans or iguanas. Other nights the chickens start a chorus randomly. I hear the ones in my yard and then it seems as if all the other chickens in the neighborhood join in. Sometimes when I listen really carefully I can hear the chickens from around the corner. The chickens never cease to surprise me…

 

You’re probably reading this and think I have far too much time on my hands to pay attention to the chickens. You’re probably right, but I’m probably gonna be an expert on chickens by the time I get back to the States and will be thoroughly entertained until then…



A favorite hiding spot when the rain starts suddenly.

This one made it past being a scrambled egg.

I’m Not ‘Bout This Life: City Girl in the Jungle

The dance of the palm trees, the oceans calling, the first rays of sun and heaven is here. ~Mike Dolan

 
Today makes 3 weeks since I have arrived in Costa Rica! Whew time sure does fly! No matter how long I’m here, I just can’t see myself getting used to the wildlife in Costa Rica. For example, have you ever had a howler monkey throw mangos at you as you walk by or heard the monkey’s howl that made you stop in your tracks? Ever seen a toad that is bigger than a softball or heard iguanas scratching on your roof? Ever had a swarm of sand flies eating you alive like you are a free meal at the Golden Corral, while trying to watch the sunset on the beach? Ever seen packs of friendly stray dogs that come up to you and want to be your friend? Have you ever watched geckos playing tag on your walls or felt micro ants (that’s what I call them) on your skin, but couldn’t see them? If so, you probably lived in Costa Rica!


Howler monkey

Iguanas in my backyard

I’ve never been one to be OCD on my house being spotless, but I don’t have a choice here unless I want all of the jungle outside to come in. Since living in my own “casita”, I have had many more experiences with the wildlife of Costa Rica; I literally moved into the jungle! The property is surrounded by coconut, mango, banana, and lime trees, which means more animals. I now live with iguanas, chickens, huge toads, raccoons, various sized ants, crabs, and a dog.

Stray dogs on the beach





A gecko

My main concern is usually the micro ants because they are EVERYWHERE! They are teeny tiny barely visible ants that move “muy rápido”! You have to look closely to see them, but regret looking when you see them. Just today I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I walked three feet to the sink and when I got back there was a micro ant on my plate trying to get my PB&J. Now mind you I paid $9 for that peanut butter yesterday, so I was not sharing! At some point every day I can feel one of the ants on my arms even when I can’t see it. I just try to swipe it off as fast as possible, but it’s annoying.



THE Crab!

My newest concern are the crabs or “cangrejos”. I remember when I moved into my “casita” I was so excited because I could hear the waves from the ocean in my bedroom and smell the salt water. Being a girl from the Jersey Shore I was excited and this reminded me a little bit of home. However, never in my whole life would I expect a crab to walk into my room! My first reaction was a curse word, followed by wondering how this crab got into my house with the house door and bedroom door closed, and lastly how the hell was I going to get it out. I was literally in shock for a long time, but after a long fought battle, with heavy sweating, I was the winner and the crab was dead and outside. The crab won the war though because I couldn’t get to sleep that night until 5am; jumping at every little thing I thought moved. 

God only knows how I will last 4 more months in the jungle…