Checking into the Chicken Therapy Cabin

Continued from 10-16-25. 

 

We checked into the Chicken Therapy Cabin about 3 p.m. Sunday, September 28, 2025. (Our sixty-second wedding anniversary, staying three nights.)

 

The therapy cabin is located on the outskirts of Albert Lea. The main feature is 10 chickens to entertain you from early morning til just before dark when they are locked in their coop, being let out early the next morning.

 

The coop has nests for the chickens to lay eggs in for the cabin dweller to use. All ten chickens are hens, no roosters as the roosters don't lay eggs and they crow at sun up. 

 

It was a beautiful, on the warm side afternoon with no rain forecast for the near future. Along about 6 p.m. the chickens seemed nervous and headed for their chicken coop to be locked in for the night.

 

We were confused until a big, brown hawk swooped down. When the hawk spotted Genie and me, he changed course and flew away. We then locked the 10 chickens in until the next morning. 

 

Just before dark we sat on the deck of the cabin to watch birds come in at the bird feeders for the last seed and drink of the day. (Chick-A-Dees, Nut Hatch, Blue Jays, Finch, Wood Peckers, Pygmy Nuthatch, plus a few we couldn't identify.) 

 

Just at dark we heard a rooster pheasant cackle, plus coyotes howl. I counted at least seven different howls.

 

Genie and I had a light supper, looked at the moon and stars retiring early just like the chickens. Remember, this is “Chicken Therapy!!”

 

We never heard anything til the next morning- just my snoring per Genie!!

 

Monday morning we let the chickens out about 8 a.m. The chickens followed us to the deck of the cabin where we watched them.

 

The chickens clucked, strutted, scratched and talked to us in their language chickenese the rest of the day. It was most relaxing.

 

About 6 p.m., the chickens seemed nervous and headed for their chicken coop. A hawk swooped down just over our heads. Genie and I flapped our arms and the hawk kept flying by. We think it was a Coopers Hawk. 

 

The chickens thanked us in their chickensese language as we let them in their coop for the night.

 

Monday evening was just like the previous evening. The rooster pheasant crowed, the coyotes howled, and lots of birds at the bird feeder. 

 

We had a light dinner, even eggs from the chickens!! We looked at the moon and stars retiring early. (Readers, remember this is chicken therapy.) 

 

Tuesday was the same as Monday. Up early, talked to the chickens. (Genie and I can now make small talk in chickenese.) The hawk checked the situation out. We put the chickens in the chicken coop, listened to the after-dark sounds, looked at the moon and stars, and retired early. Thanked the owner for the great place. Thanked God for his earth creation.

 

Is it possible for an old Norwegian to have severe pain caused by a kidney stone after he enjoyed three days at the chicken therapy cabin in Albert Lea??

 

The answer is most certainly yes!! 

 

P.s. This is Genie, “I can now also speak Chickenese!!

 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.