The Secret Chicken Society Read Online Free PDF

lawn. He called and called. Peepers cocked an eye at him, but edged away as he came closer. Daniel tiptoed closer. Peepers tiptoed away. At last Daniel was within reach.
    He dived. And fell face-first in the mud.
    Peepers slid out of his hands. She fluttered into the rose beds, cackling with glee.
    â€œMy prize roses!” shouted Mr. Grafalo. His face was beet red.
    Finally Daniel and his sisters managed to herd the chickens to the fence. Maybe the chickens were tired. Maybe they decided the game was over. They stood as still as statues and let the kids scoop them up.
    â€œDratted chickens!” complained Mr. Grafalo.
    â€œChickens are good for gardens,” Daniel said, panting. He tucked Peepers under his arm. His glasses had fogged up from the rain. But he couldn’t hold Peepers and dry them, too. “My dad says chickens eat bugs. And their manure is good fertilizer. Maybe you should get some, too.”
    Mr. Grafalo folded his arms and glared. “Chickens are noisy and smelly. They attract rodents. They spread disease. They lower the property values. They’re a public nuisance and shouldn’t be allowed in the city!”
    Daniel just couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “They aren’t a nuisance! Besides, keeping backyard chickens is legal!”

    â€œI know
that
,” said Mr. Grafalo. “I’m on the city council. The council passed it five to one, but I voted against it! Chickens are allowed.” He paused and glared at Peepers. “But not roosters.”
    Daniel sighed with relief. “Well, that’s okay, then,” he said. “Because we only have hens.”
    â€œAre you sure about that?” asked Mr. Grafalo, watching them leave with narrowed eyes. He looked just like his cat, Poison, when he glared. “Because if I hear one single crow, I’ll call the police so fast it’ll knock your socks off.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” muttered Daniel as they left. “You won’t.”
    The kids carried the chickens home. Daniel’s wet shoes made squelching sounds on the sidewalk.
    â€œMr. Gruffalo, the buffalo,” said Emmy when they were back in their own yard.
    â€œShhh!” said Daniel, trying not to laugh.
    Dad came home as they put the birds back into their box. Daniel told him all about the great chicken escape. Dad scratched his head. He shoved his glasses up on his nose. He looked worried.
    â€œFirst thing tomorrow, we’ll build a chicken coop. With a chicken run,” said Dad.
    â€œChicken coop?” asked Emmy.
    â€œHenhouse,” said Kelsey.
    â€œHen Hotel,” said Daniel. He gently set Peepers in the box. “Nice.”

Chapter 7
A LITTLE PROBLEM IN THE HEN HOTEL

    On Saturday the weather cleared up. Daniel and Tyler helped Dad build the chicken coop. They used wire fencing and recycled lumber from the salvage yard. Although the hens were still too young to lay eggs, the coop had nesting boxes all ready. A ramp from the chicken run led up to the coop.
    The hens seemed to like their new home. Every day, Daniel scooped a handful of oyster shell into a bucket. He knew the hens needed it to help them digest their food. He added a handful of chicken pellets. He tossed in a handful of grain and leftover table scraps. He poured it into the food tray. “Here, chick! Chick, chick, chick!” he called. The hens came running.
    On Sunday morning a week later, the familygathered around the table for breakfast. Dad always made buttermilk pancakes on Sunday. The smell of cooking pancakes filled the house.
    Suddenly the phone rang. Mom answered. She talked for a while, and then hung up. “That was Miss Clay,” she said. She looked sad. “She wanted us to know that Mrs. Grafalo fell down the stairs last week. She broke her hip. Mr. Grafalo took her to Willowdale Care Center.”
    â€œIsn’t that a place for old people?” asked Kelsey.
    Dad smiled. “Well, Mrs. Grafalo