My saga as a chicken farmer started a year and a half ago. My neighbor, myself and our kids trotted (okay, well, we drove) eagerly to the feed store and picked out 12 baby chicks one fine spring day. Hoping for all girls (but knowing we’d likely end up with a few roosters), we picked out our little fluff balls and raced them home to a heat lamp. Two roosters later, many coyote snatches, and a magnificent bald eagle gobbling one down in the front yard, we each have exactly 1 of our original “girls” left.
I no longer refer to myself as a chicken farmer. I now know my true lot in life. I’m their guard. With predators circling their pen on a daily basis (some with me knowing and most often not) it’s amazing I have any left at all. My dog loves it. He hears the girls start to fuss and he’s out the door chasing the coyote down, sauntering back proudly to check on his girls. As if to say, John Wayne style, “It’s all right ladies, I took care of it.” The other night we were watching a movie that had a chicken “throwing a fit” (it was clucking, but since I speak partial chicken I know it was upset) and my sweet pup stumbles up out of a deep cathartic, in front of the fireplace sleep, and starts looking around to see where the distressed chicken is and what the heck is going on.
I do enjoy my girls. It used to be that I’d say that I loved my girls. But 4 heartbreaks later (Okay 3. the rooster was a major butt. I was glad to see him go), I now keep a guarded heart. They definitely know me and trust me. When my husband comes in to take their eggs they put up quite a fuss. They know he’s not supposed to be there and seriously, he is a man. He is NOT part of the club. I’m careful not to take their eggs in front of them or, if I do, It’s in one swift motion while feeding with the other hand. And, I ALWAYS say “Thank you girls for the lovely egg.” Which I know matters. They are ladies after all.
Now, before you commit me or categorize me with the PETA freaks, you’ll be glad to know I am not the only chicken guard/farmer that has a fondness for their chickens. For Christmas I received Minnie Rose Lovgreens Recipe for Raising Chickens (Oh okay, I ordered it for myself, wrapped it up, stuck it under the tree and gushed “Thank you SO much. How did you know I wanted this?” to my surprised husband and kids. Who dutifully, said “You’re welcome” and gave each other sly grins) . I read about this little book in Mary Jane’s Farm magazine and knew I had to read it. In it’s third publication and only available through a little press shop in Bainbridge Island, WA, this quaint 31 page book took me back to simpler times. Minnie Rose (we just don’t have names like this anymore. Maybe I’ll change my name when I’m a grandma so I can be Grandma Rose or something equally as endearing). Anyway, I digress. Minnie Rose was 86 when she dictated her words of wisdom to a friend, who was then good enough to hand letter and illustrate her “Recipe for Raising Chickens” and have it published.
The front cover states “The main thing is to keep them happy.” And, I’ve got to say, it totally makes sense to put that on the cover of a book about chickens. They lay better when they are happy. If you don’t tow the line then they don’t produce. Seriously, it makes me wonder what they put in the feed of layer chickens to make them produce eggs. Those chickens can hardly moved, are stacked one on top of the other in terrible conditions and they still lay eggs? Mine are so spoiled that if I don’t let them out into the yard everyday for a minimum of 2 hours then “No eggs for you!”
Minnie shares with us that chickens talk to their chicks while they are still in their eggs, and teaches them lessons on what to eat and how to take cover when predators are near. It is obvious that she has really studied her chickens and understands their habits. Who knew that they liked to face south or southwest when sitting on their eggs so as to achieve the most hours of sunlight? I’m going to reconfigure their layer boxes so they are facing the “correct” direction! I have 4 chickens and am lucky to get two eggs a day. Clearly, they are not all happy!
Delilah, Turkey-Lurkey (she’s a Turken and has bald spots that make her look like she’s been in a fight or, is part turkey), Daffodil, and Pepper do have some bad news coming though. Minnie says that chickens are only good for laying for 2.5-3 years max. Delilah will be two in the spring and I’m suspicious that the other three are already around 3. I’m just not sure how good my own chickens will taste. I guess the good news is that I can name one from a new batch Minnie Rose in honor of Mrs. Lovgreen.
If you’d like to order your own copy of Minnie Rose Lovgreens Recipe for Raising Chickens go to www.nwtrilliumpress.com or call 206-842-6908.
