The chickens are such a novelty to everyone who sees them or hears about their travels with us. Chickens on the trail evolved from being unable to part with an original pet Rhode Island Red Hen

We decided she could take her chances on horseback like us, instead of being retired to an ordinary chicken's life. She rode behind my smooth-gaited mare's saddle in a small cat carrier. She never complained except when the horses stopped for too long. The gentle rocking motion suited her. This Red Hen survived a dog attack, ripping her back wide open. Dane sewed her up on the trail and she healed fine. She later disappeared from a hen house at a place we were house-sitting. To replace her, I found 2 Bantam hens, of a more appropriate traveling size. These 2 could fit comfortably in the same cage that had squeezed the Red Hen.

One memorable event was a jostling, extremely rough ride over downfall and obstacles on a bad section of trail. We discovered 2 perfect, undamaged eggs under the hens at camp that evening! At camp, they stayed right next to our tent and were quieter than they've ever been in civilization. They rode on the yearling's back strapped to a small pack saddle and patiently endured all the obstinate follies of a young horse. Chickens are an endless source of wonder and amusement to us and everyone we encounter along the way, besides the bonus of fresh eggs on the trail. My guess is they'll always be part of our entourage.

Chickens on the trail evolved from being
unable to part with an original pet
Rhode Island Red Hen



Chickens are an endless source of
wonder and amusement to us
and everyone we encounter
along the way... besides the
bonus of fresh eggs on the trail.


 

Packing chickens...