Abuela Rosa Called the Hens for Breakfast. Someone Else Answered Too.
Feeding time in the yard is a busy affair. Abuela Rosa crouches low in her faded apron, glasses slipping down her nose, letting a stream of golden corn trickle from her fingers onto the packed dirt. A half dozen hens crowd around, pecking fast, their red combs bobbing. Right in the middle of the flock strolls Mango, tail raised, looking for all the world like he is supervising the operation. A wicker basket of laundry, a pair of rubber boots, onions, and a few potted succulents fill the shady corner behind them.
It might seem surprising that a cat and chickens can share space so calmly, but on many small farms it happens. Adult hens are fairly large and can be quite bossy, so a grown cat often learns to give them a respectful berth. Chicks and young birds are a different story, since they are small enough to trigger a cat's hunting instincts, and they should be kept safely separated. When introducing any cat to backyard poultry, it helps to start with the birds behind a fence, watch the cat's body language closely, and never leave a new pairing unsupervised until everyone is clearly comfortable.
Mango seems to have reached an understanding with these ladies. He keeps his paws to himself, they keep their beaks to the corn, and Abuela Rosa keeps the breakfast coming. On this little homestead, peace is served every morning by the handful.
