Once upon a time there was a woman named Sharon who just loved chickens. After struggling with disease and predators, she managed to get a happy little flock of 6 established. 5 hens and 1 rooster. A flock who merrily scratched at the ground, laid delicious eggs and generally entertained the woman and made her happy. The rooster pleased her greatly with incessant crowing and strutting about.
Then along came Sam, a neighborhood dog. One fateful day, Sam jumped the ditch, grabbed one of the beloved silver-laced Cochin hens, carried her back across the ditch and down the road. Finally releasing her at the south end of the property, where the bird promptly landed in the ditch. Having witnessed the assault, Sam's owner came to report the incident. A shoe-less Sharon ran down the road and jumped into the ditch, not thinking for a second about the leaches and crawdads and other creepy crawlies that live in the water. The beloved hen was not well. Innards had become outtards. She was alive and in shock. Despite our efforts she died during the night. (The hen, not Sharon).
Our chicken flock had become 5.
Sharon's loving husband brought home 10 bantam chicks. 5 frizzled cochin and 5 blue silkies.
Our chicken flock had become 15.
Unfortunately, the first night we had them one of the blue's perished - apparently crushed by the weight of it's siblings all huddling for warmth.
Our flock had become 14.
The second night we lost one of the frizzles.
Our flock had become 13.
No more chicks have been lost and they are growing fast and become stronger every day.
Shortly after, Sharon received a phone call from the local egg guy. "I'm bringing you a chicken," he said. "Why?" She asked. "Because I hear you lost a silver-laced cochin." Was his reply. Can't argue with that!
Our chicken flock had become 14.
Unfortunately Helen (that's what the egg guy called her) was struggling to fit in. She would go off by herself and we would have to find her and bring her in at night against her will. In an attempt to help her adjust we fenced in the chickens and did not let them free-range for a few days. The Australorp rooster and his australorp hen were bullies when faced with confinement. They picked on the other four and had them cowering in the corner. Rooster seemed insatiable with his "requirements" of the girls - and he was none to gentle. Sad as it made me, it was time for Rooster and his mate to go. A good home was easily and quickly found with the people who 'gave' us Chupa, Cadbury, Een & Twee.
Our flock had become 12.
We swapped the two austrolorps for a turkey. We were actually offered two turkey chicks. But Peter's mother would come unhinged at the thought of turkeys free-ranging around here. So instead of live turkey chicks, we swapped for an organic turkey to be cleaned and dressed for us to pick up just before Thanksgiving. Her name is Rosie (short for roasted) and she should have live a good, happy, healthy, free-range life until Mid November.
This morning Peter asked me if we needed some buff cochins to add to our flock. I'm thinking about it. I do love chickens.
