Day in the life of a RH chicken

Ever wondered what the RH chickens do in a day while we’re off roaming the campus, fighting to stay awake in lessons, and rushing our assignments? 

Well, with some stalking and scouting, I present to you a peek into the lives of the chickens in RH—the stay home edition!

5.36am - The morning alarm

At around 5.30am, the first ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ goes off like clockwork. I’m sure we’ve all heard it before… or at least some of us have: those rushing an assignment into the wee hours of the morning or those who never stopped yapping with their friends from the night before. A sharp, shrilling sound that continues on for at least 10 minutes. I've always wondered what it meant: Were the chickens talking to one another? What were they saying? Or was it just a way for them to establish their territory, and chase other chickens away? Whatever it is, it’s dependable. We can always count on the chickens to crow every morning and signal the start of a new day. 

8.00am - Breakfast

Image: Chickens searching for their breakfast

Take a walk around RH at 8am and you’ll see the chickens bending over and pecking in the crevices. A flock gathers in a circle, as if they’re holding a team meeting, planning their strategy for the day. 

In a sense, we do the same thing too—gather for breakfast with our friends and discuss what we’re going to do for the day. Looking back, it’s these small moments that allow us to get to know each other better and make us feel more connected to one another.

Image: Chicken practicing the long jump

11.06am - Outdoor gymming

With their nutrients replenished, the chickens then head out for their first exercise of the day—cardio.

With no gym, the chickens get creative, turning RH into their very own jungle gym. Here, the drains are obstacles and the hills are treadmill inclines. This is when they are extremely active, running up and down between the blocks of RH and getting their steps in. This cardio training keeps their feathers streamlined, and helps to ensure precision and speed for their flight. 

Image: Chicken running uphills

It’s extremely important that they complete their workouts everyday. However else will they be able to outrun RHesidents who try to chase and catch them?

12.25pm - That time of the day…

Image: Chicken letting nature take its course

After all that, the chickens need to do their business. They climb up a hill and pat it down, before… well… you know…

Just be careful when you walk on the grass patches because you never know where it might be…

2.00pm - Lunch!

Image: Chickens among the flower pots

Ah! With an empty stomach again, the chickens start their second meal of the day, this time searching among the flower pots for greater variety. The grid of flower pots function as their canteen, each one containing plenty of options such as various seeds and worms for the chickens to choose from and enjoy.

Just like us eating in our campus canteens, the chicks and chickens can be seen gathering around the flower pots, happily munching away and chirping at each other. 

3.00pm - CCAs

Image: Chicken doing parkour

With all the cardio they’ve done earlier, the chickens, along with their amazing sense of balance, rock climb their way around RH. Their skinny legs make them nimble and swift, allowing them to jump onto the rocks with ease. 

But not all of them have the same skill level… They start small, hopping up the stairs before advancing to the rocks, and eventually the trees.

Didn’t know chickens could fly that high? Me neither! But now that you know, be sure to look up next time you walk around RH and try to spot them in the trees!

5.00pm - Playtime

After two hours of scaling heights, they’re ready to touch grass again.

Image: Chickens hanging out among flowers

This is when the chickens can be found frolicking under the trees and among the flowers, taking a break from their day. Seeking shade underneath the trees, the chickens gather once again to debrief about their adventures. Some of them visited other parts of the campus, listening in to lectures through open windows, while others stayed back in RH, enjoying a day free from classes. This freedom in one’s daily schedule at university is what makes uni life so enjoyable. Just like the chickens, we get to plan our days as we wish: mugger by day, hall personality by night!

6.32pm - Dinner

As the sun starts to set, the chickens enjoy their final meal of the day before heading for their nighttime activities. It’s been an exhausting day for the chickens who have been running all around RH (and me, who has been stalking following them…). 

7.25pm - Silkie Chicken Bash

Image: Silkie chicken making an appearance

With their bellies full and hearts warm, the chickens excitedly scurry over to the carpark to watch the highly coveted Silkie Chickens Catwalk. Extremely soft, fluffy, and cute, the silkie chickens put on a performance every week to showcase their prominence within the RH community.

10pm - Goodnight!

After a fulfilling performance, the chickens finally get a break as they can hide in the shadows, away from the RHesidents who have been trying to pet or pick them up all day. With all the rock climbing practice from the day, they are able to roost on the trees, finding comfort in the silence as they settle in for the night.

And that’s it – a day in the life of the RH chickens! Although one can argue that there are plenty of other chickens with different lives, it can be said that RH does have the original ‘Chicks of NUS’... and how can one argue with that? 

An always bustling and lively hall, RH can be seen as a wholesome kampung, filled with laughter, cheers, and animals who call this hall home—just like we do.

Written by: Chiong Teng

Edited by: Joelle, Rayden, Videl