Silly Swimming Chickens. . .I mean ducks. . . I mean chickens!!

We waited quite a long time this summer to get some decent consistent hot weather.  Our summer had a shaky start and spring was just down right cold, but we did finally get some really hot weather.  August fizzled out on a pretty cool note.  That is if you have a pool without a heater.  We've had many cold nights this month and yesterday, we took our pool down.

The third week in July was a really hot week.  The hottest we had all summer.  My children were LOVING the steamy weather.  When it was a 114 degree heat index, they were keeping cool in the pool.  The pool water even reached 90 degrees at one point.  It was a beautiful thing.  Just look at these joyful children. . .

During this week, our Henny Penny's were panting like poor little dogs.  All those feathers insulating their bodies were making the 100+ degree temps. very uncomfortable.  I had to do something to help them out.  So we decided we'd cool off our little girls in the pool with us.  And guess what.  They took to the water like ducks!

I know, I know.  Chickens aren't supposed to know how to swim.  Their feathers will become sodden and they'll sink and drown after all!  Well, we didn't tell our chickens that, so they decided to be extremely buoyant, and relaxed in the pool!

They looked like little toy sailboats sailing across the top of the water!

Notice those closed beaks?  As soon as they hit the water, they'd stop panting.  Ahhhhhhhh. . . Relief!

The little girl in the middle is Riley.  She is a great friend to my children (they call each other sisters), and the only little girl on our street.  This trio plays together ALL THE TIME.  It's wonderful.

This next picture of Madeline and her pet chicken won first prize in a cute kids contest at a local t.v. news station.  It was very exciting.

After pool time, there is ALWAYS preen time.  Have to get all those ruffled feathers smooth and pretty again. . . 

Excuse us. . . a little privacy please human!  Now make yourself useful and fetch us some meal worms.

So if you ever see our chickens running around, please don't tell them that chickens can't swim.  They're convinced that they're professionals and have even told me that they are thinking of starting their own synchronized swim team.  They'll have to wait until next summer though, since the pool is down.

Did you ever know that chickens could be so fun?  Well, I must say that the breed WE PICKED, is key to all our fun.  Not all chicken breeds are this sweet and friendly.  It has been a great experience for my little girls, and the novelty has not worn off.  We love being chicken people!  We are still awaiting our first egg and we could get it anytime within the next few weeks.  Until that day, we will wait with baited breath.