We have f our hens, three Brahmas, and a red hen. When it’s this cold, the red hen stays in the roost all day, but the Brahmas, our f favorite kind of chicken, always come out and poke around. They especially like to peck away at the seeds the birds drop from the feeder.

Sometimes, they are in the barn, sometimes in and out of the roost. Brahmas are giant chickens with feathers on “shanks”  and go; they have smooth-fitting plumage and dense down all over their bodies and wide broadheads with skulls projecting over the eyes.

Their origins are controversial, but the chicken scholars say the breed was developed in America in the 1800s from very large fowls important from China via Shanghai.

The Brahmas are larger than most chickens, and their feathers and down keep them warm; they’ll move around in ice and snow unless the drifts are large. They are gentle for hens, and I would say, intelligent as far as chickens go, which is not all that far.

We worked to socialize them when they were young, and they are tolerant of people and willing to live with dogs. Zinnia loves to chase the hens when they are out in the yard, but they squawk and cluck in outrage, and she stops and runs away.

Sometimes they move away when they see her.

Sometimes, they ignore her. She wants to play with them and is confounded by their aloofness and rejection. Bud has occasionally picked off a tail feather; we don’t let him run near them.

Fate pays absolutely no attention to them.

Maria has organized the roost; I call it the Bedlam Farm Chicken Apartments. There is always fresh feed, freshwater, an indoor light for warmth, and a snug roost to keep the snow and the rain.

I wouldn’t mind being any animal who lives around Maria. Perhaps I am one

In the excellent weather Maria, and sometimes me, goes out with some leftover gourmet food and they are happy to eat it out of our hands. I’ve grown fond of these hens, who are at the same time industrious and a bit pompous.

They go near the road but never out in it. We feed them twice a day and leave a heated water bowl in the roost for storms and frigid winds.

It’s nice to look out the window or walk outside and see them marching back and forth – they are always together unless one of them goes broody – and industrious. They make it feel like a farm, as do the other animals.

They do take a mid-day break, an Italian like Reposo, and sit and ponder the world.

We also enjoy the fresh eggs we still get almost every morning. They are incredibly delicious.

The Brahmas pay little attention to the weather unless the snow is piled higher than they are.

I should say that Brahmas have a convenient side. They are hardy chickens, good layers, and they very much mind their own business.

They work hard and sleep quietly. We have a good understanding. I give them worms to eat every morning and I have a secret clucking sound that brings them running. This is as close to a chicken as I think I will get.