I greatly underestimated chickens when I first came to Bedlam Farm. I thought of them as dumb and dirty. But living with them has altered and deepened my view of them and respect for them. Chickens are industrious, purposeful. They are adaptable. They are peaceful, generally. Yesterday two of the hens walked right over to Red and started pecking at his coat. He looked at them in surprise, but accepted the intrusion. I have a considerable respect for chickens.