It's All Over Now Baby Peep

Part III of a three part series chronicling Peep's departure from the Big Apple and her return to Connecticut.

Last we left Peep, she was back on the farm, exploring the new country setting -- dogs and cats and apples oh my! Then it came time to meet her old chickmates. It had been almost a month since they last shared a home.

Peep appeared anxious.

Her fears turned out to be valid. That chicken on the left, below, is Peep's sister. Although you can't tell from this picture, she's at least twice as big as Peep.

A side-by-side comparison.


So it seems, despite the NPR and New Yorker and Brooklyn air , Peep still hadn't caught up in size.

Mom says she's "special".

Well, it turns out chicken's aren't very nice to the "special" ones -- or at least the smaller ones. We put Peep down in the coop and it wasn't pretty. There was some pecking and lots of Peep distressed peeping. That said, it was probably more traumatic for me than her. Regardless, we decided Peep needed a room of her own. One trip to Home Depot later, Peep had her very own country house.

It has a view of the horse.

And the other chickens.
Peep took to her new hay-lined habitat immediately. Over the past week, we've slowly introduced a few of the nicer chicks to Peep's home; she seems to be making friends. Soon, all the chickens will be big enough to be out of the coops and out on the farm, living the country life.

Peep, however, will always have her Brooklyn pied-a-terre.

And I'll always remember when she was this little.


Last Bird Song of the Day: Freebird

Questions and Answers

A brief interlude in which I address some reader questions before preceding with the closing chapter of Peep's adventures in NYC.

Will Peep eventually be eaten?

No. She and her coop-mates will live long and incredibly spoiled lives. Peep's eggs, however, will be fair game.

Did Peep leave your apartment a mess?

Yes and no. I'm having some difficulties with my apartment at the moment (bugs!, water leaks! broken everything!), but I don't think Peep is to blame.

Are you a vegetarian now?

In a word, no.

What are you going to do now that you are Peep-less and blog-less?

Good question.
Maybe I'll take advantage of lots of fun free outdoor things.
Maybe I'll spend 1,001 minutes making 101 recipes.
Maybe I'll finally see that exhibit.
Maybe I'll watch cheese ripen.
Maybe I'll make it to Coney Island before it's gone forever.
Maybe I'll buy this bookstore and rename it Freepeep.
I do know that tonight, at least, I will go see my dear friend Miya sing.

Are you getting another pet?

Maybe. I'm thinking about a bunny.


Bird Song of the Day: I Started a Song - Miya Dunets
(ok, not actually bird-related, but I'm making an exception gosh darn it!)

Peep the Explorer

Part II of a three part series chronicling Peep's departure from the Big Apple and her return to Connecticut.

So after a relaxing Saturday afternoon in the sun, Peep and I left the shore behind and arrived back at The Farm. It was about as far as you could get from her city apartment. Peep had lots to explore.

There were apples.


There were clovers. Finally, something she'll eat!



There was a certain sheepdog, Cassie. She seemed to take quite a shine to Peep.

And Peep seemed quite comfortable as well. (And yes, that's me sounding like a seal).


There were cats.

Minnie, a particular predatory cat, took a decidedly different interest in Peep. After stalking Peep from behind doors and couches, Minnie adopted the "I'm so innocent" pose.

Peep was too smart.

So far, so good. Of course, you'll notice she hasn't met the chickens yet...

Bird Song of the Day: Maybe Sparrow - Neko Case

Peepless Brooklyn

Part I of a three part series chronicling Peep's departure from the Big Apple and her return to Connecticut.

A friend recently envisioned Peep's return home:

I have no doubt that you will raise Peep to be a strong and confident chicken, a bird of uncommon street smarts and technological literacy, and that she will one day return to your mother's farm in triumph.

Dear readers, I'm afraid that this eloquent prediction failed to materialize. The story of Peep's departure will take more than one post, but I'll skip ahead far enough to report that Peep is back on the farm and that Brooklyn is a lonelier place for it. I'm thinking of adopting enough of these cuties to create a mess-free aviary.

But back to the story. The weekend started off well enough. Friday night, Peep said her goodbyes to Brooklyn and all the treats she will miss. Her roommates were sad to see her go, but Peep was stoic. I loaded up the Jeep, which was parked on the corner of my block in front of a brand-new wine bar & restaurant. So new, in fact, that they were having an opening night party there. The guests, lounging on the outdoor patio, seemed amused by my trips to the car, first with my head obscured with an unwieldy bag of laundry, and then with an enormous peeping cardboard box into which I was singing the ABCs. They laughed and smiled, sipped their wine. No one offered to help. Brooklynites.

So we hit the highway and left the borough behind, arriving at my childhood home in just about three peep-full hours. The house was quiet; Peep received an enthusiastic welcome nonetheless. Peep reading her sign. I think my Dad could have a second career as an artist :)

Bird Song of the Day: Hundreds of Sparrows - Sparklehorse

Rise and Shine

Peep doing her morning calisthenics.

Last weekend, while driving through lovely Alpine, NJ with a couple good friends, I saw a sign that said "CLOSTER RECREATION COMMISSION". Now, in my crazy, currently subfunctioning brain, I read the sign to say "LOBSTER RECREATION COMMISSION". The idea of such a thing -- lobsters playing tennis? weight training? playing bingo?!? -- made me insanely happy. This lasted about 15 seconds. Then I realized that the sign referred to the town's name, not the crustacean. Oh well.

At least I have a chicken who does morning stretches.

Bird Songs of the Day: Ben Gibbard - Earth Angel (The Penguins cover)
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3

As You Wish, Princess Peep

Peep is pretty much queen of the Brooklyn castle these days. Here she is surveying her domain from her perch (my knee).

And she's been getting quite the education. In recent days, we've graduated her from music to literature. After the wood chips ran out, I had to switch to newspaper to line her box. Seeing as I don't get the newspaper, I had to resort to the next best thing -- my half-read, ice coffee-stained New Yorker cast-offs. I made sure to start with David Denby movie reviews, but I spared Sasha Frere-Jones the indignity.

She's also been catching up on all the novels published in the last two years. We just finished The Brooklyn Follies; Didion's The Year of the Magical Thinking is the current selection. She's pretty impressed.

Note: I had an adorable picture of Peep reading, but sadly my camera -- like everything else in my apartment (grill, ipod dock, four lights) -- has stopped functioning. Apologies!

In other news, I attended two fabulous weddings this weekend. One included butterflies and peonies, the other donuts and the most whimisical animals-made-of-sneakers (ostrich below). Peep was with me in spirit.



Bird Song of the Day: I'm a Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
and, (gladly) upon request: And Your Bird Can Sing - The Beatles

See How She Runs!

After a night of wedding dancing, I came home exhausted. Peep, on the other hand, was ready to go:




Bird Songs of the Day: Counting Crows - Start Again & Come Pick Me Up

Winged Life

Upon request, a picture with some perspective. Peep has grown a great deal, but she's still not that much bigger than my hand. Her personality, on the other hand...

Peep has officially learned to fly. Well, as much as chickens can fly. Take this sequence of events, as witnessed by my impassive television:

- Nell eats take out sitting on foot of bed, so she can watch a Sex and the City rerun and keep an eye on Peep. (Yes, roomies, it was the roosters-on-the-roof episode :)
- Peep pecks around on the floor.
- Nell munches.
- Peep begins to eye Nell.
- Nell is oblivious.
- Peep launches herself toward Nell's legs (propped two feet off ground against bureau). Peep lands successfully. Nell winces but is so overwhelmed with pride that she can't begrudge Peep a few scratches on the shin.
- Nell leaves Peep to perch on her ankle, continues eating noodles.
- Peep launches herself at Nell's face. Peep manages to land on Nell's chopstick-clutching hand. Chaos ensues. Noodles are everywhere.

I guess there is a reason (besides pub menus) that chickens have wings.

As for the fourth, Peep had a great time. She enjoyed a good five hours outside her box exploring the apartment. She can't get enough of those floorboards!

She also helped me bake some cupcakes.



Not too bad for a chicken.

Bird Song of the Day: Sing, Little Birdie - Shearwater

Peep Phone Home

First things first. I added a roosting pole to Peep's house. Apparently learning to roost is very important. It took Peep -- brilliant bird that she is -- only two hours to learn the trick. Now she's perching (and pooping, but I'll gloss over that) everywhere. I'm starting to feel as if I'm only a few chicken steps away from marooning myself on an island off of Brooklyn.

You'll also notice that Mr. Rooster has joined Peep's apartment. Last night I came home to the sound of Peep's peeping, but no Peep. She was snuggled right underneath her new man. Quite the hussy.

Now, on to the big news. Peep has an iPhone! She's officially a city bird and most likely spoiled for life. And thanks to a certain awesomely generous company, I get to enjoy the phone too.

Here's Peep examining her new toy:

(Note: this picture was taken with my old phone. Here, you can see the iPhone was on camera mode; the picture on the screen is my gorgeous red Ikea "Alve" secretary. Peep likes it.)

And here's the iPhone's point of view:



Bird Song of the Day: When Doves Cry - Damien Rice

After the Gold Bird

Today was a big day for Peep.

First, we tried my homegrown strawberries.

Peep seemed skeptical: Disinterest followed:And then outright mockery: (My apologies for the blurry photo, but that's Peep actually stepping onto the proffered strawberry.)

Peep took a more active interest in a present from my mom. Enter Mr. Rooster, the newest member of my menagerie.

As for the iPhone, we're setting up a photo shoot for tomorrow...Peep wants her beauty rest so she can look her best next to the sweetest phone ever.

Bird Song of the Day: Birds - Neil Young

Blueberries for Peep

After a long hard day of working, donating blood (and nearly fainting), getting lost in Chinatown, and eating rooftop bbq (ok, that part wasn’t so bad), I didn’t have much time to spend with the wee one last night. This morning, however, I introduced Peep to blueberries.

She wasn’t very impressed. Despite all my attempts to bring attention to the berries (mushing it up, eating it myself, etc.) she pretty much turned her little beak up at them. Oh well.

Maybe she’ll like my fire escape strawberries better:

Never doubt my green thumb again.

In weekend news, Peep is very excited about a "nearly flawless" movie featuring another barnyard critter. Let's hope she doesn't peep too much during the show.

Peep: Chicken or Mountain Goat?

Kait is right, Peep has grown! And she has learned to climb! I almost didn't make it out the door this morning.





Maybe she'll learn to clean up after herself next. I've found that keeping Peep's water clean is a rather Sisyphean task. As soon as I put the clean bottle down, she runs over and does a little dance with her little chicken legs aflailin' – wood shavings right back in the water. I imagine this is what eating 27 hot dogs in 12 minutes only to be rewarded with 60 more pounds of hot dogs must feel like. Well, kind of.

Oh, and Mom, I can't wait to bring some fruit home for her. Peep, you crazy little mountain goat, there's a feast headed your way!

Bird Song of the Day: Peacocks - The Mountain Goats

Majestic Sunbird

Peep tried to get in on the blogging action this morning.

Peep: PEEP peep PEEEEEEEP peep
Nell: What's that Peep? You can't work under these conditions?
Peep: Chirp chirp Peep! Peep!
Nell: You need a MacBook Pro?
Peep: Peep peep chirp peeeeeeep. Peep!
[translation: Yes, of course. But an iPhone first!]

Smart chicken.

Also, my country friends, please do us city folk a favor and pray for that these power outages end (or at least stay on the upper east side).

Bird Song of the Day: Majesty, Snowbird - Sufjan Stevens

Peep is Popular

Peep had her first visitors today. She loved the attention and I loved the gifts (oh, um, and the company!). With all this undivided attention, Peep is in serious danger of becoming an avian genius. When she starts chirping plays (or poems, for that matter), I'll know whom to credit.

But seriously, friends, thanks for the food and wine. Peep welcomes you back any time (except you, Michele...something about grilled chicken).

And now, after a great deal of post-visit-rehash-chirping, she's sound asleep in her box. Between the country mouse and my childhood hot water bottle heater, her apartment is starting to resemble a little stuffed animal farm.



Bird Song of the Day: Blackbird - Elliott Smith

Chicks Can Be So Needy

It seems that Peep (Alice?) has grown quite attached to being held. Snuggled into my shirt with one hand, she's quiet and sweet. Put down in her house, she's loud (PEEP!) and angry. Despite reassurances that she's "weeks" away from being able to fly-jump out of her box, she did just that last night in angry defiance of being set down. So, I caved and kept her snuggled into my hand for most of the evening. We sent some emails, we watered the plants, we talked on the phone. We watched Big Love. She didn't seem all that impressed.

I was finally able to settle her down in her little apartment by cuddling her into a sheep-shaped hot water bottle cover. Then I turned off all the lights, ran into my bedroom and shut the door.

On a separate note, I passed this sign on the way to 'wichcraft for lunch yesterday. It made me smile. And then I ordered the chicken salad sandwich. It was delicious! Don't tell Alice.

Peep Will Communicate!

I have to admit, I was pretty worried about Peep today. She was alone for about 12 hours with only her stuffed mouse and my iPod for company. So I was relieved to find her safe and sound (and bigger?) when I arrived home. Maybe I need a webcam...

I've been trying to keep some background noise around for her amusement. Last night it was Aimee Mann, tonight we're enjoying a little of Wilco's new album. She hasn't stopped chirping since I put it on -- I'm not sure if that's good or bad -- but she certainly has an opinion.

For those wondering, Peep's set-up is far less elaborate than the one featured in the Times article.

Empty air conditioner box + food tray + water bottle + Mr. Mouse = Chez Peep

Bird Song of the Day: Hummingbird - Wilco

Names?

Marc raises an excellent point -- the wee one is still nameless! I've been calling her Peep for now, but I'd love to be a little more original than that. Anyone know of any famous historical chickens?

Also, I must admit, I'm not braving totally uncharted territory. Let's hope it doesn't get to this point:

A Peep Peeps in Brooklyn

Big news: I've taken temporary custody of a baby chick from my mother's farm. For unknown reasons she's "failed to thrive" among her dozen or so chickmates. At about half the size of the others, there were concerns that she'd get trampled in the coming weeks. So we loaded her up in the volvo, hit the road and here she is in Brooklyn! I'll be posting updates (daily hopefully) so check back to see how the little peep does in the big city.

Let's just hope my landlord doesn't find out :)