Behind the story of the Key Peninsula Chicken Lady

Barbara and Marvin Rowland own a 20-acre property they call Sunny Key Farm on the Key Peninsula where they have dozens of animals, including chickens, peafowl, goats, a pony, dogs and cats.

The Rowlands have had to contend with raising spare chickens simply left at their farm.

Funny how stories are found and told.

A few days ago I came across one of the funniest (to me anyway) posts I had ever seen as I was scrolling through the Key Peninsula Washington Facebook feed.

“O.K. o.k…..#@!#$%^&*%$#@!!!!!!! YOU did it to me again. Last year you dumped 5 game roosters off in the barn pasture. Today you did it in my front yard. The big golden rooster you also dumped didn’t survive the eagle attack last summer. I will usually take peoples extra roosters. Most I am able to sell. Game roosters I can’t. Now these mini hoodlums are tearing up everything. I am going to have to catch them….and….eat them,” wrote Barbara Rowland of Sunny Key Farm.

I grew up with chickens in my father’s farm in the Philippines. I know a little about the birds. The line about “mini hoodlums” left me in stitches.

Next thing I know, I am sharing with fellow editors Rowland’s plea at a gathering of newshounds from The News Tribune at the Swiss in Tacoma.

That left them in stitches.

We all agreed this would make a wonderful story for our columnist Larry LaRue.

So now you know.

Good morning Longbranch.

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Marvin Rowland brings the goats and pony a treat at morning feeding at Sunny Key Farm.

LARRY LaRUE: Life anything but quiet on this farm.

MORE PHOTOS: A gallery of images from Sunny Key Farm.

WATCH A VIDEO: Hear Barbara Rowland’s farm at feeding time.