Chickens and rabbits have the misfortune to be food for much of the natural world. Snakes, weasels, foxes, hawks, coyotes, ferrets all stalk them for food.

Yet they have this imperious quality that makes me like them. They carry themselves like royalty, industriously pecking away at bugs and flies and ticks.

Chickens are at the bottom of the natural pecking order, but they don’t seem to know that. They strut around like Queens and accept their fate, usually silently and without struggle.

Almost every day, we meet someone who lost their hens to a fox or hawk, or raccoon. We hope the donkey swill help discourage their many predators.

Our chicks, Kitty and Anne, seem especially imperious to me, much like royalty strolling through their gardens. I hope, now that they are free to wander, that they stay safe in the world of nature, which is not always kind.