I am being made a fool of

So everyone in my family knows that I am afraid of the chickens and my older sisters are also a bit wary of them. But there are a couple of people who are making me look like a fool.

My three year old nephew, six year old niece and ten year old sister.

These three people over the last couple of months have become extremely brave with the chickens and now actually enjoy when they come out of the pen so they can pick them up and put them back in.

My three old nephew, Adam is fearless.





I now have insults shouted at me from these little kids saying "don't be afraid they aren't going to hurt you."

And another one of their favourite phrases "Come here Auntie Faye, let me show you how it's done!"

I am sure more pictures of my sister and niece will follow just so they can show that they are not afraid of holding the chickens.

I need to get some guts!

As you all know I have a big fear of the chickens. I like them and think they are nice to look at but I always think they are going to get me.

But when they first did come and moved in the man who set up the eglu where they sleep passed me a chicken and I was pretty forced to hold the chicken.

This is the picture my dad took of me. If you look closely you will see the tears in my eyes. But to be honest I am very proud of this picture.

The name of the fear

I thought that it was about time to research into what my fear is actually called.

And it is called:

Ornithophobia

On Wikipedia it says:

Ornithophobia is a type of specific phobia, an abnormal, irrational fear of birds.

Ornithophobia can cause the following symptoms: breathlessness, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly, a fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control or a full blown anxiety attack.

Irrational??? what do they know?!

Below is a video of the chickens that are apparently my irrational fear.

Where the fear began...

I have been trying to think of the reason why my fear of chickens and other birds started. And I think I have finally found the answer.

It happened about 14 years ago when I went away with my family to Florida. One day we went for a walk around by the sea, and sitting on a bunch of rocks were a few men fishing. We went over and said hello.

As soon as we started chatting to the fishermen one of them caught a fish and pulled it out of the water. All of a sudden the pelicans that were sitting on the rocks started going crazy and jumping around.

One of the pelicans who was stood next to me saw the fish and jumped up, and by accident bit me on the bum.

Because of the pain that I felt I jumped into the air and nearly fell off the rocks into the sea. Luckily my dad caught me and pulled me away from them.



But to be fair I think you can see why. After all who would want to be bit on the bum by those mean looking pelicans. They have massive beaks and could have easily have eaten me or pushed me into the sea!

When the first three chickens moved in!

One of my biggest fears are birds of any kind. Especially chickens! So when my mom and dad told me that they were buying chickens to look after in our back garden, I was petrified. My mom decided that they would be an early Christmas present for her.

When the chicken person came with the first three chickens (not the ones who were from the battery farm) the man helped set up the eglu (the hut where they sleep).



He then asked me if I would like to hold a chicken. I told him about my fear, but to his amusement he gave me a chicken to hold, and it was the most fearful thing. I stood there with a shocked look on my face, whilst my parents took pictures and laughed.

The first three chickens were named: Mildred Hubble, Henny Penny and Dorothy.

Named by my parents and my little sister. Ever since then my mom has took care of them like they were her children. Calling them her girls. No I am not jealous. Honest!