The Ugly Little Chicken. A Love Story.
This is the story of my ugly little hen.
A hen so dull and boring we didn't even bother to name her.
Her nose is really too big and her comb is really too small.
She's so invisible the other chickens don't even pick on her.
The little hen that almost doesn't even exist.
Someone suggested we name her Cheez Whiz, since Cheez Whiz adds personality. We were desperate. So she was named.
Cheez Whiz now had a name, but still no zing. No expression, no cute chicken characteristics. No personality.
I didn't hate Cheez Whiz. There was no reason to hate her. She was just there. She was so dull there wasn't even anything to hate.
So when a friend lost one of his chickens to a fox I agreed to give him one of my hens. I knew immediately it was going to be Cheez Whiz. I felt bad, but if I was going to part with one of my flock it was going to be her.
I wanted to make room for an Ameraucana you see. They're the chickens that I've always wanted. They're one of only a few breeds of chickens that lay blue and green eggs.
But ... on Easter morning when my boyfriend surprised me up with a box full of day old Rhode Island Red fluffballs I certainly wasn't going to turn them away. Even if they would only lay brown eggs.
So I counted the days until my friend would pack boring, ugly chicken Cheez Whiz into a cardboard box and take her away. Then I could buy a blue egg laying chicken. .
I got a phone call. My friend didn't need an extra chicken anymore. He went out and bought himself a whole flock ... of blue egg laying Ameraucanas.
I was devastated. He was getting the chickens I always wanted, and I was once again stuck with Cheez Whiz. The dull little hen.
Then one day when she was around 4 months old, Cheez Whiz slowly and clumsily made her way into the nesting box for the first time.
The other chickens stood at the door and squawked at her a bit, but she ignored them and went about her business.
Eventually the others left her alone.
It was at exactly that moment I learned a life lesson.
Because on that day, my boring little chicken ... the rose-combed Rhode Island Red named Cheez Whiz ... did this for me.
That day I couldn't even get excited over her blue egg. I couldn't jump for joy or laugh with surprise. All I could manage was to pick Cheez Whiz up and say I'm sorry.
She had a good life Cheez Whiz. She died yesterday. She was the last of my original flock. I found her alone, outside in the run on the cold ground, her body still warm. I suspect she died instantly of a heart attack. I had only been out feeding her an afternoon snack about an hour earlier.
I picked her body up and held her against me and for the last time said to her, I'm sorry.
Mr. Pickles
Go Cheez Whiz!
Kristin
If I admitted that this story made my eyes water and my nose sniffle a bit, would you recommend a trip to the looney bin?
Karen Shelby
No, no looney bin cause I teared up too!
David
Awww! Great story! Yea, Cheez Whiz!
Ashlyn
That's such an AWESOME story!! It was meant to be!! :)
Jenn
She is chicken, pared down to the essentials. Go CW!
Maggie
That is a very heartwarming and wondrous story. I love Cheez Whiz...the hen.
Nancy
Great story Karen...I love the fact that you give equal value to all living creatures and not just the human ones..you will work overtime to save animals that others might dismiss as not worth the effort or cost..Keep being the nice lady that you are and don't be discouraged by a few people who don't get your sense of humor as those of us who love to read your posts are very grateful for the daily laughs that you give us..and by the way..I finally got to try those "farm fresh eggs"..YUMMY..big difference..Hugs!
Donna Hollingsworth
Your experience with Cheez Whiz reinforces the old adage "Never Judge a Book by its Cover". She is a diamond in the rough and a precious little chicken!!!!
cristine
I have to disagree with you Karen, I don't find her in the least bit ugly. She's a very noble & handsome hen. It might just be the photo... Wonderful photo by-the-bye. Great story. Cringe worthy name. Do the blue eggs taste differently?
Karen
Nope ... the eggs taste the same as all other fresh eggs. ~ k!
Marie
I don't know anything about chickens but maybe Cheez Whiz shows more of a typical Ameraucana personality? I think the other chickens know that she's different on the inside and that's why she doesn't quite fit in with them. The egg is lovely!
pat
Awwww. That is the best story ever.
Sara
If only you could get a pig to give you some green ham...
judy
ouch....
Jade
i read the green ham story, green ham: just ow
Aimee
Way to go Cheez Whiz!
Tess
Some of us bloom differently.
Chris
I'm so happy for you and for Cheez Whiz. You're probably too young to remember this, but Seasme Street used to have a song about how one of these things was not like the other, one of these things just didn't belong and usually, the thing that didn't belong turned out to be something you wanted.
Enjoy
Sharmila
Hi Karen,
I have been reading your blog for a while and fell in LOVE with you CHICKEN COOP, Chicken Stories, your funny jokes and everything in between. This was the most amazing story from your entire blog I loved the most...it almost made me cry...
Lisa
Just had to let you know this is my new favorite blog. I've always had a thing for chickens, since we had them when I was a little kid. If I keep reading this, I might just have to get some chickens.
Karen
Thank you Lisa! ~ karen
Ashley
This made my day. Nice work, CW.
Laurie
i can't believe I am crying in my office over an ugly chicken.
paula
awww, great story. i love it!!!