It’s hard to believe that we’ve had our small flock of chickens for almost a year. We’ve only had two casualties – remember that the chick “Taylor Swift” died due to complications, and we also lost our beloved rooster, Richard, because of a lung/virus thing, about a month ago. Though many roosters are mean to the hens, Richard was kind and extremely protective. Beside the fact that all of the hens were at his beck and call (if you catch my drift), there was one hen that was his best friend, and she, his.
Here at Farmhouse 1820, we’ve been learning as we go as far as raising and keeping chickens, and if their behavior gets a little off or funky, then by all means, we dive into Google and assess. When we lost Richard, said hen appeared sad (please forgive me, I’ve lost track of who”s who and most of their names went out the window). She pecked at all the others and preferred to sit in a laying box all the time. She became very territorial, stealing all of the eggs and laying on them keep them warm. She wouldn’t move. With her feathers all puffed, she would peck and try to bite if you even tried to move her. After typing in a few key words into Google, we found that she had all of the characteristics of a broody hen. This had to stop.
Now, we can’t blame her missing Richard to cause her to become broody, but rather just chicken nature. Just the same, we had to break the broody and were advised to keep her in her own small cage along with food and water, for three days. This way, she’ll cool down, get her mojo back, and then can join back with the others. You know, birds of a feather and all. This advice did the trick.
For us, having chickens has been rewarding. Not only are they keeping us stocked on fresh eggs, we’ve found that the guy across the street will happily plow our driveway for a dozen. All the sudden, I don’t have to drive carpool for swim practice because the other parents insist on driving, and are hopeful for a dozen or two. (I feel I must oblige; get my kid to and from, safely) It’s funny how people come out of the woodwork for fresh eggs. Well heck, I’m here to tell you that once you’ve had a farm fresh egg, the store bought kind just will no longer do.
Chickens provide comic relief, too. Just watching them run can make me laugh from my belly, and I swear they really do gather ’round and cluck. Chicken gossip, perhaps? Whatever the case, their upkeep is far from time-consuming and their feed is inexpensive. They love fruit and vegetable scraps and their poop is good for the garden. True fact.
Spring is right around the corner, and I’ve put in an order for another 10 chicks. Plans are underway for a new and improved coop with a nice sized run to keep them safe from predators. For now, they’re holding up in the barn, staying out of the harsh winter elements, and still keeping us stocked on those delicious eggs.
I have Always wanted to have chickens! For now I will just live vicariously through yours!
Please do! I’ll keep sharing chicken happenings!
I love your posts, I was renting at a place close to where there was a chicken coop filled with baby chicks but another type of chicken was mothering the chicks not the real mom, which I thought was odd.
Hi Maria, that most likely was a broody hen.
All creatures great and small. You make me want to try this interesting hobby.
I live in the suburbs but my neighbors have chickens. I saw the dad at the election center and we were talking about them. He offered me some eggs but so far nothing. Might be time to get some of my own. 🙂
Hi Patti, I encourage You to get some chickens of your own. Pretty low maintenance, and so much fun to have around!
I think this is great. My dad always wanted chickens but he never got any. I love that you can give eggs in exchange for car pool and for clearing of snow or whatever. I would take that any day! Good luck with these guys.
Thank you Michelle. The fresh eggs do make for a good trade!
Very fun to read, and I love the fun chicken facts and learning about how you solve them. Have you gotten a new rooster yet?
Thanks, Julie! I have Placed an order for a rooster, and we’re slated to pick him and the rest of our new chicks up mid-April.
Hi Brooke!
I agree with everyone, there is nothing better tasting than farm fresh chicken eggs!!! Love this sweet story and I am sorry Mr. Richard died… How sad for you all. I have friends who have raised chickens for years and I miss visiting them as often as I did when were still in California. I hope to have a small flock someday…
Happy to pin your post to my Animal Friends board for you. <3
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thank you so much Barb!
Chickens are great! We have black astralorpes and they lay like crazy. They’re docile and hilarious. They like to get up on the door to their run and look into the dining room window to see if I’m around. I like to get my chicks in the fall. That way they grow all winter when you aren’t getting eggs anyway, then when spring comes you get eggs right away rather than waiting until August.
I have Thought about getting chicks in August. A good idea.
I’m starting to see more and more people with backyard chickens. I’m getting intrigued!