Chickens nearly got me killed today

[MontyJ]

That's right. The chickens were outside in the run with the coop door propped open for them. I haven't finished the first phase of the remodel so there is no pop door. Instead, we prop the main door open and stake it so it can't swing. Well, a severe thunderstorm blew in this afternoon. One minute it was calm, and the next all heck was breaking loose, pouring rain, wind, thunder, lightening, really crazy. I looked out the window and saw that the chickens had not run into the coop, but rather, had run behind the door and were gathered in a tight group in the weather.

So, I ran out into the storm to chase them into the coop. The first few ducked under the door and ran inside, but several just scattered. While I was trying to corral them into the coop, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I hit the ground belly first just as a bolt of lightening exploded overhead hitting a wild cherry on the back of the property. Soaked to the bone and covered in mud, I finished getting the chickens into the coop and closed it up.

I love thunderstorms, but that was waaayyy to close for comfort. I think I might have used some bad words while herding the rest of the chickens into the coop. That little episode has caused the completion of phase one to be moved up to as soon as the rain stops tomorrow. If there had been a pop door, they would have run right into the coop with no problems. But one chicken decided to run behind the door and the rest followed...chicken see, chicken do. I really hope that chicken is getting it's feathery little butt kicked right now by the rest of the chickens for leading them into the corner.

 

[majorcatfish]

glad you're alright monty..
the things we do for our 2 and 4 legged children.

 

[thistlebloom]

That was close Monty! I guess it's a good thing you were at home when the storm blew in. I think the scariest part of your story was when you "hit the ground belly first". If I had been in your shoes I'm not sure if a lightenig strike would be worse than a face full of chicken doody!

 

[catjac1975]

OH MY GOD MONTY!!!!! Why do you think they needed to be locked up for the storm? They can get wet especially in this warmer weather. Next time just leave them outside. They will go into the coop on their own or not. It will not hurt them.

 

[baymule]

Monty you are a good chicken Daddy. But I really thought I was the only one dumb enough to do something like that.

 

[bj taylor]

good grief monty! that was way too close for comfort!
good thing you recognized what those hairs standing up meant. if you hadn't hit the deck, it might have been you instead of that cherry. then who would do what your wife's voices in her head say?

so glad you're ok.

 

[vfem]

Wow.... that's all I can say. Thank goodness you've come back to us ok!

 

[Jared77]

I would stayed inside and let the lightning strike. Then when the storms over invite everybody over for cooked chicken

 

[journey11]

Oh goodness, Monty, glad you are ok! I would wish them luck and stay inside next time! Mine were out during last summer's derecho and we watched them out the window. They all found the lowest point in the yard and hunkered down (not sure why they didn't just run inside the barn? :/ ) Much to our surprise they did not blow away!

 

[MontyJ]

Yeah, in hindsight, it was a pretty dumb thing to do...running into a steel cage with lightening flashing all around. They just looked so panic stricken, stuck in that corner behind the door. DW and DD were watching from the house. They said it would have made a great youtube video, me running around in a downpour trying to herd a bunch of terrified chickens into the coop...right up until the lightening strike. I can laugh about it now. I did get the pop door done though. Next time they are on their own.