The Chicken House that Denise Built

In the early days of our acquisition of the land that was to become our home and Rivendell Sanctuary, we erected a Bell Tent in Bree. A Bell Tent is a kind of round, canvas structure, like a yurt.  The boys and I assembled a floor from Pallets and plywood, worked hard to make it as level as could be expected, and after it was erected we put in a bed and some furniture. It was to be guest quarters for visitors, where you could sleep in a comfy bed serenaded by the creatures in the nearby creek. 

The kids left before it was furnished, but I spent a night there and it was divine. I slept like a baby in the soft queen bed, listening to the music of frogs. 

A week later, it was gone. Stolen. That’s right, someone dissembled and stole a quasi yurt off of our property. We were devastated. It was a stretch to buy it, and the time spent to make it nice was substantial. We also had that feeling of violation. Someone of ill intent knew we were there, and were looking for opportunities to take things. It stained this refuge for us. 

We posted about our experience, and a number of people reached out with sympathy. Among the thoughtful notes, was one from some neighbors in De Luz. They had become acquainted with our intentions for the land from a NextDoor post we put up. This couple were very supportive, and, as animal lovers, really felt drawn to our vision. 

Alex reached out and offered to reimburse us for the lost tent. Imagine the generosity of that gesture. Towards strangers. 

We were moved. But we also had to be honest. 

I wrote back that as much as we appreciate this offer, we have decided that there was no way to make this truly secure while we did not live on the land 24/7. We were reconsidering. We were working on other projects though, like a chicken coop. 

Alex responded: My wife Denise loves chickens. Use the money for that. 

The months rolled on, and we plugged away, preparing the land on weekend visits, erecting fences, bringing in tools, building a shed, etc. 

Alex reached out again. This time, the news was very sad. 

Denise had passed away. 

Alex told us that, had she lived, she would have been coming to our sanctuary every day to help. She was such an animal advocate, loved watching rescue videos, and had such a pure and open heart towards gestures of kindness to our animal kin. 

Alex said that Denise would have wanted family and friends, in lieu of flowers, to donate towards the chicken coop. 

So we set up a fund. 

It is a strange thing, to have a friend such as Denise,  that you have never met. We have met Alex since then, and get a glimpse of her through his kindness. 

The chicken coop came to be, thanks to the financial help offered.

This video details the process, culminating in our first rescue of four hens. We named the coop The Feathered Realm, as a nerdy Tolkien-esque flourish. This plaque marks its origin. We also have a marker to Denise on the poetry path. 

The coop is hand built, and uses reclaimed materials whenever possible, but it is solid. It has endured  hurricanes, windstorms, deluges of all sorts, with nary a scratch. We have installed a roof over the run to keep them dry through winter rains, if they ever come that is…

Last week, we expanded our flock with 4 more hens and a rooster. They are clearly enjoying the space, and chatter as they scratch in the newly expanded run. The rooster looks over the girls, and has decided the coop is his domain to guard. 

I’ve been thinking about how many birds will ultimately call this place home. Will it continue to stand when Kelly and I have also passed into memory? 

Will the number of chickens and ducks number in the hundreds, the thousands, the tens of thousands?

It is yet to be seen. 

But what we do know, is that, whatever the number, every chicken and duck, offered refuge from a world that can be so cruel to them, will be cared for and housed in the coop that Denise built. The plaque will mark her compassion as long as the coop stands, and all will know: this place is here, because of her. 

We will be ever grateful to the neighbor that we never met, but who is a part of our home here…