Putting Pam’s visit out of his mind, Leon returned to his cabin, grabbed so money, and left the farm straight for Marnie’s Ranch.
The chicken coop had already been built, and it felt like a waste not to fill it with chickens.
When he reached Coal Forest, Leon followed the small path to Marnie’s Ranch. Even before stepping inside, he could see the fenced pasture beside Marnie’s house.
Unlike the ga where a few cows served as decoration, the real-life Marnie’s Ranch had cows, sheep, rabbits, and pigs—practically a full nagerie. The spacious pasture was rich with grass, and the animals wandered leisurely, occasionally lowering their heads to graze.
Leon observed a nearby sheep. Its condition was excellent—no dirt or tangles in its wool, so clean it resembled a brand-new plush toy. Clearly, Marnie took great care of her animals.
With a good first impression of Marnie’s animal care, Leon knocked on the door.
“Oh, Leon! We’ve known each other for so long, but this is the first ti I’ve seen you at my ranch. What brings you here?” Marnie opened the door, eyes wide in surprise, before greeting him warmly.
“I just built a chicken coop and wanted to buy so chicks from you,” Leon explained.
“I see. Co on in.” Marnie invited him into the house. The ranch’s shop area, directly opposite the front door, was much larger than in the ga. Besides haystacks, shelves were stocked with neatly packaged animal products.
Piles of eggs, large jars of cow and sheep milk, clean wool, hefty blocks of cheese—everything spoke of the ranch’s abundance.
“Would you like sothing to drink? Coffee or herbal tea?” Marnie asked with a proud smile, noticing Leon’s interest in the shop.
“No, thanks. I need to get back soon. But since this is my first ti raising animals, could you teach
how to care for these little ones before I buy them?”
“Of course.” Marnie nodded and motioned for him to follow.
They walked through the living and dining rooms into the backyard, where several chicken coops—similar in style to the one on Leon’s farm—stood. However, these were more than twice the size of his, and far more impressive.
“I happen to have a batch of chicks that just hatched. I can use them as examples for your lesson—should be helpful for your plans.”
She opened the door to one coop and led Leon inside.
Inside, tiny chicks, each no bigger than a palm, huddled together. Their downy yellow fluff made for an adorable sight.
“Cute, aren’t they?” Marnie said fondly.
“Yeah.” Leon nodded. Few people could resist the charm of such fluffy creatures—though that charm didn’t usually extend to adult chickens.
“Caring for these little ones isn’t much different from looking after children,” Marnie explained. “Feeding and watering are basics, but affection matters too. Keeping them happy ans better returns. For example, a hen that trusts you will lay bigger, better eggs.”
As she spoke, she demonstrated how to gently stroke the chicks, guiding Leon’s hands. Under their care, the huddled chicks began to move about more, no longer avoiding them but instead brushing against their legs.
“Looks like you’re popular with more than just the ladies,” Marnie remarked with so surprise, seeing how many chicks gathered around Leon.
She hadn’t expected that after just one pat, the chicks would stick to him more than to her—their caretaker of the past two days.
“Maybe I’m just naturally charming,” Leon joked.
Of course, he knew the real reason: Forest Magic. Its affinity with animals wasn’t a joke—wild squirrels didn’t fear him, so dosticated poultry was no challenge.
“Seems the hardest part won’t be an issue for you. What you need to learn now is feeding.”
Instead of hay, the chicks ate bright white rice. Marnie scooped a handful from the shelf and scattered it on the ground, where the chicks quickly pecked at the grains.
While they ate, she showed him the water trough. “If Robin built your coop, you don’t have to worry about water. Her coops have automatic troughs that refill daily with fresh water.”
“That’s pretty much it,” Marnie concluded as they left the coop. “Once they’re grown, you can collect their eggs every day.”
Leon, rembering the hay in his storage, asked, “Do they only eat rice?”
“They’ll eat insects too—but you don’t have to catch them. Just open the coop gate, and they’ll find bugs on their own. Here’s a tip: letting them roam outside on nice days will make them happier than keeping them cooped up. Long-term confinent will only make them cranky.”
Leon nodded. “So how many do you think I should start with?”
“Your coop is a basic one, right?”
“Yeah.”
“That ans it holds eight. I recomnd you fill it.”
“Will I be able to handle that many?” Leon asked hesitantly.
“Of course. Just feed them in the morning and evening, and give them a pat while you’re at it. Raising chickens isn’t hard.”
“In that case, I’ll take eight,” Leon decided without hesitation. If it was really that simple, he might as well fill the coop right away.
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