Chicken catching equipment
[Current music: 'Hey Ladies' - Beastie Boys]
The neighborhood has acquired a stray chicken.
One Sunday afternoon I was sitting with Z on the park bench reading a book. He got up and started staring at the pine trees. "Do you see... a chicken?"
One of the more confusing questions I've ever been asked. Yes indeed, there was a white leghorn rooster pecking around. As we stood there this bird wandered right up. A guy was walking by and we called him over to look. He gawked at it for a little bit. Said he'd never seen a chicken in real life before, thanked us and went on his way.
I tried calling Animal Control but they run on Monday through Friday business hours. Tried Minneapolis animal control. They were unable to help because this is outside city limits.
Next day, I went out for my morning coffee on the balcony and heard someone on the rocks outside my window. It was him again, going through the fallen bird seen from the feeder. He had a brief and victorious fight with a gluttonous squirrel.(Excuse the pillar)
When I called the city they SENT THE POLICE to catch it because the single animal control lady for the area was elsewhere. When the woman on the phone said she'd send over officers I thanked her, hung up, then laughed until I cried. Just in time to compose myself and meet them outside. They walked around back and looked at the rooster long enough to determine that no, they could not catch him, especially without "chicken catching equipment." And so they left, promising to send over animal control. It was a waste of time as I knew it would be but damn did I hope to see two cops chasing a chicken.
Nobody ever came by despite different people calling. It came a weird effort on behalf of people in the neighborhood including those with the bird feeders. One lady brought out a cat kennel with bedding and water and checks daily. Three teenagers tried to catch it. Mostly people just stare. Eventually he was given a name, Kevin.
I haven't seen him since going out of town last weekend. Monday morning, leaving for work- there he is! Now he has a female companion! Where are these chickens coming from? Why hasn't animal control come around or returned calls? It's cool if he's wandering around getting by on being a free bird, good for him. The weather's been right for it. Soon enough it will be quite cold at night and that is worrisome. Good luck, Kevin.