There once was a chicken named Mr. Doodle. He was a boy, therefore he was a rooster. There once was a chicken named Peggy. She was a girl, so she was a hen. Mr. Doodle had a big comb and waddle. Peggy had a smaller comb and waddle. They lived together in a nest made of twigs, softened with fleece and dog hair. Peggy laid eggs and they had a chick called Peepy, who had a pink comb.
They lived with a nice young farmer who took good care of them. She made sure that they had plenty of food. She tried to protect their eggs from the dogs that liked to eat them. Sometimes she put pretty pieces of yarn on them and made them "fancy" so that they could go to parties. The young farmer spent a lot of time with Mr. Doodle, Peggy, and Peepy. She carried them all over the house and drove her Mom slightly crazy because she talked so much about the adventures that they were going on and all of the exciting places they were visiting. Maine, Alaska, and Tahiti being the top picks.
I think Spring is coming and we need to think about getting more chickens! Perhaps ones that actually lay eggs!
On a serious note though, I am really happy that she actually does know her basic chicken anatomy. We only have four hens at the moment, but she has learned a lot from watching them and watching us care for them. She may not know what the word responsibility means yet, but when she is providing her animal buddies with food, water, and shelter during her creative play, she is practicing it without knowing it. (Pretend food, because real would cause a dog fight, but real water, which she is really good about not spilling.)