Flower Essences for Fowls

Debbie’s Letter:

Hello, Lila! It’s been such a long time. I hope you’re well and that your life is blossoming abundantly!

I’ve recently joined the Organic Chicken Discussion List on YahooGroups because we’re expecting baby chicks this spring–our first little laying flock!

We dialogue about hierarchy problems within the chicken keepers’ flocks, as well as traumas, shocks, roosters who attack owners, hens who are too timid, etc, etc. Obviously, the kind of behaviors that you and I think of essences for, but which is totally outside of their reach…. SO FAR!

So I now want to turn to your animal book and am not seeing–on some quick look-throughs–info about chickens (or geese or ducks, though most are chicken keepers). Any particular area in that book you might recommend? Or do you have some other resources I could point to?

Considering the explosion of backyard chicken keeping – especially for folks who want to raise birds humanely and naturally–this is bound to be a new area of public interest. Any information you can point me to would be great!

Be well, xo,
Debbie

My Response

Hi, Debbie,

Delighted to hear from you! It’s been awhile.

And congrats on the arrival of your new family! That’s wonderful. Sounds like you have some land and some other animals there. Several decades ago when I was herding goats, I acquired a hen and rooster who were very dear to my heart. It was indeed a very special time in my life.

Yes, you are correct, Flower Essences for Animals doesn’t have a specific chapter about chickens and roosters. However, if you haven’t read it yet, the first chapter of the pets book is quite revealing about animals in the greater scheme of their consciousness and evolution.

Feedback has it that many people find our Pear Essence works great for animals kept in large groups. In part, I attribute that to the fact that it is one essence instead of a combination formula. As we work with these essences, we find it best to use a single essence that addresses several issues rather than giving several essences, each for a single issue.

This way, the animal is not overwhelmed, as can sometimes happen when combinations are administered, 3 to 5 essences in a bottle being common. I know I’m treading on thin ice here and that my company is in a complete minority on that point, with combinations being all the rage, but our research shows that animals respond better to single and serial essence programs.

Spraying a yard or coop with Pear plus adding it to the water supply, for peacefulness and emergency support, is a fantastic solution. With larger groups of animals, it’s easier to give a single essence rather than working with the individual personalities and having separate essence regimes for all the different animals.

If there is a significant amount of tension from personality conflicts, Banana Essence works well. Our basic definition for this special essence is: humility rooted in calmness. However for animals, a more fitting description of Banana is cooperation, which is a whole ‘nuther subject.

When I teach the essences for pets and animals–both wild and domesticated–I also explain the importance of honoring their instinctive wisdom. Oftentimes problems arise when we, as well-meaning owners, simply a little education.

For the aggressive rooster, for example: if he sees himself as the keeper of the flock, instinctively as well as hormonally, he may view a human being entering “his” territory as a threat. It would behoove the person to not make eye contact with the rooster and to stand sideways instead of facing him.

Flower essences can be a fine adjunct. However, giving essences to redirect and channel the animal’s energy in more appropriate directions is much more reliable than using them to try to thwart their instinctive behavior.

So, Debbie, these are some thoughts. You’ve raised some important issues here.

I hope this helps, let me know how it goes. Great to hear from you after such a long while.

Please be well, take care, and enjoy the springtime.

In the flowers,
Lila

Debbie’s Response to My Letter

Lila, what perfectly wonderful information!  Thank you for taking the time to put it together for me. I will send some along to the organic  chicken keepers list. They are most receptive!

We live on a 1/2 acre property, and we own and rent out the one next door.

Adding laying hens is an extension of our experiments at self-sufficiency, which is where this all started: just how much can we do with our piece of land? We note the amazing experiments elsewhere with 12 month harvest and multiple cropping even in New England and are very happy to follow along!

If I count correctly, the eggs that will become our chickens will be incubated beginning around April 15, so we are doing our planning now.

xx,
Debbie