Coop Chronicles
Chickens. If you told me a year ago I would be cleaning out chicken poop and raising chickens I would have laughed at you. But when all the doors opened for this out-of-state move and we walked through them, strange things keep happening. So far all bringing joy. If you have ever been on the fence about getting backyard chickens I would urge you to jump right in!
I have learned so much from my new feathered friends , the chore has been a daily commitment, while I create a habitat that works for them and me. I have enjoyed learning about and from them.
Its a hilarious social experiment watching a bunch of “chicks” living together seeing the pecking order and personalities form. They are all there, the bosses, the followers, loners, the quiet shy ones who can’t find their voice. I am lucky for the most part these very unique chickens all get a long. One has beautiful speckled spots and knows it as she parades around but is alone a lot. While the plainest one is the kindest and always has lots of people and chickens at her side. Mental note: spread the kindness.
Since I was looking for chicks at the end of summer and local chicks area available only in spring, online I found an amazing hatchery. McMurray Hatchery delivered 8 happy, healthy, newly hatched chicks to my post office. (We currently have 7, may her feathers rest in peace) From palm sized scared pullets they have grown to be beautiful hens that provide comedy on the daily. Have you ever seen a chicken run full speed? Or had a chicken decide it needs a better view from your head? Or seen one “ tell off her girl friend” cause she ate her piece of Kale? Hilarious.
The bounty they give every day is just a treat. The first egg we got was on Christmas which is ironic for 2 reasons; I joked that is ALL I wanted for Christmas and secondly everyday since when the kids run in and have a handful of eggs there is still a hint of Christmas morning surprise and delight.
Chicken 101: many of my friends (including me) were shocked to learn the basics so I will share.
Chickens (when of age approx. 6 months old) lay eggs for the most part everyday . If you have a Rooster around then chances are your chickens will lay fertilized eggs = baby chicks. No rooster = delicious edible eggs.
It takes a chicken between 20-30 min everyday to lay an egg. It never gets easier. They start the internal production of their next egg shortly after they lay.
Different breeds lay different colored eggs. My mixed variety of chickens give me dark brown, light brown, pale blue, and pale green. Different on the outside, same on the inside.
You can leave unwashed eggs out on your counter for weeks. But once I rinse them in the fridge they go.
Since my coop adventures started I have a whole new appreciation for the eggs in the grocery store, for the farmers and the hens that laid them.