This month the girls turn one year old and I can happily say it has been fun and fabulous to discover that I have a genuine affinity for raising chickens. From the time they arrived I have enjoyed watching them explore their surroundings, giggling at their awkwardness, and surprised how smart and not so smart they can be. Sadly, we lost 2 girls early on to a hawk… (moment of silence) but we have yet to loose one to Harriet. It’s been close on a few occasions but the chickens have learned to scatter when Keith or I scream, “HARRIET! NO CHICKENS!!” As they transitioned from baby chick to full-grown fat and fluffy chicken, I did take notice of a bossy one among the flock. She pushed her way to the front of whatever line was forming, pecking a few ladies along the way. Then she started “cock-a-doodle-dooing” which I thought was quite strange, but not completely unheard of. Then her feathers started to change from the other hens bringing some serious gender identification issues. I referenced my nightstand copy of “Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens” and learned that this does in fact happen and should rectify itself after the first molt. I shared my newfound wisdom with my neighbor and long-time chicken keeper, Jonathan, to which he promptly announced “Zsa, Zsa”, he calls me that sometimes, “That is a rooster!” And so it is. Given my blessing to become anything he/she wants to be, Red, has grown up into a proper looking rooster and does a fine job of keeping the ladies safe and in-line. Our little flock of 9 hens are producing 7-9 of the most delicious eggs a day and I could not be happier to add chicken raising to my list of favorite things.
3 Comments
Terrific story!
6/5/2015 03:25:00 am
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Aislin Gibson
6/5/2015 11:27:19 am
Congratulations on your Roo! I heard they do a great job of protecting the ladies. And your eggs are bbeeeaauuutiful! If your eggs are fertilized by your rooster, can you still eat the eggs? Maybe collect them every day? I always wondered.
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jeff bryan bolton
6/18/2015 09:14:51 am
I hear him every morning -- how he projects
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Wendy Harrop
Hi - I am a wedding and event planner that recently moved from the San Francisco bay area into the Phineas Wright House, in Bolton, MA. Here, you will find stories about our New England life, the fabulous discoveries that each day brings and all the things that make me smile. Thanks for visiting! As Seen On
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