If you drive on Arata, you’ve probably noticed the field full of chickens. They are in a smaller, fenced pen that is rotated to different spots, and when they are near the road you can see them up close, wandering around, pecking at food and doing other chicken things. I always look for the big off-white dog that guards them—sometimes while dozing in the sun or in the shade, depending on the time of year—and it makes me happy to live in a place where we can enjoy such bucolic scenes.
The other day as I was driving by, smiling at the chickens and the dog, something caught my eye. There among the chickens was a large, white goose! Forget duck, duck, goose—we can play chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, goose. That same day, I read a post on a local Facebook page (Windsor, California (& Local) Families) from a concerned someone that had seen a loose chicken in the road, and a reply assured them that a second person had messaged the farm. The farmer added in another reply that she was aware that the chicken had gotten out, and it was now back in the pen.
The farmer, it turns out, has a lovely Facebook account that shares anecdotes, pictures and videos of Wise Acre Farm and the antics therein. I spent a lovely half hour scrolling through, learning about various aspects of the farm, and now friendly farm pictures dot my Facebook feed.
The big off-white dog is called Buddy. He is the protector of the large flock, and considers the chickens his family. He is getting on in years, but he is also helping two puppies—Phoebe and Penelope—learn the ropes of being farm dogs. The big white goose is called Honk, and he has a crush on Buddy. He follows Buddy around, and Buddy is okay with it, because Buddy is super mellow that way. Many chickens have a crush on Honk, and follow him around, but it’s unclear if he returns their affection.
Farmer Tiffany is the lovely keeper of the Facebook page in addition to all her farmer chores. The pictures and videos she shares demonstrate her love for her flock, and her family’s dedication. She sometimes tells jokes (chicken related, naturally) and sometimes offers a teachable moment. For example, did you know there is a special name for eggs that come from young layers? The young chickens are called pullets, and they produce small or peewee eggs that are prized. And did you know that chickens lay fewer eggs in the winter?
Farmer Tiffany also shares little profiles of some of the more notable chickens. Brittany, for example, had a habit of escaping and hanging out in the goat pen, which is just across the driveway from the large group of chickens. Brittany had discovered that she had the run of the place, and a nice cozy place to lay her eggs—in the goats’ alfalfa hay. For a while Farmer Tiffany caught her and returned her to the main group, but after several attempts at repatriating her, it became apparent that Brittany wasn’t having it. The goats don’t seem to mind, and Brittany is happy, so if you drive by and spot her wandering among the four-footed crew, say hi.
Another goose, Bobo, has a backstory as well. This guy is a Sebastopol gander (Editor’s note: Sebastopol is the name of his breed, not his geographic origin), and he lost his home in the Tubbs fire. Wise Acre Farms took him in. He’s lonely and looking for a love connection, so if you know any girl geese who like tall, spotted boy geese, let the farm know.
If you are so inclined, Wise Acre Farms has a vending machine that sells their homegrown eggs, and a farm stand as well. As the days grow warmer there will be more eggs. The site is visible from Arata, just a few yards up the driveway, and as a bonus you get to drive between the chickens’ pen and the goats’ pen, so you can greet Honk, Buddy, Brittany and the “ladies.” It’s just another reason why Windsor is the best.
Juliana LeRoy wears many hats, including wife, mother, paraeducator and writer. She can be spotted around Windsor gathering material, or reached at ml****@so***.net.
