As you probably guessed, Asa and I spend a lot of time hiking in the woods.  Up until now, we thought we pretty much knew what to expect.  That is until we saw this sign, “Free-Range Chickens. Please Leash Dogs.”  Say what?!  We were in the middle of the woods!  Who were these wild chickens?

As we continued our walk, I pondered all the possibilities.  Perhaps they were just average chickens, tired of the rigors of barnyard life and decided to make a new go of it in the woods?  No more working 9 to 5 for the farmer, these entrepreneurial chickens started their own business.  Or perhaps chickens enjoy hiking as much as I do?  So they formed a hiking group and meet every weekend to go for a walk in the woods and commune with nature.  Another theory is perhaps they are free spirits, inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird, and must be traveling on now?  As we all know, this bird you can not change.  Or maybe, just maybe, they too heard the call of the wild beating within their breast, and decided to live like their wild chicken ancestors.

I may never know the inspiration for that sign.  Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find any of these elusive free range chickens in the woods to ask them.  But if you happen to be hiking at Tyler Preserve and you stumble upon this rare sight, could you please ask them for me?  Because I am awed by these chickens who live like wolves!

[Editor’s Note: Although we didn’t find any free range chickens, we did enjoy our hike at Tyler Brook Preserve in Kennebunkport, Maine.  For information on this trail, including directions and current weather conditions, please visit our Dog Friendly Places page.]