Why Chickens?
I've always wanted chickens in our backyard. They create fantastic fertilizer, and they eat insects, so they are natural exterminators. Most of all, I love the high-quality eggs of their eggs.
What's your favorite thing about chickens?
Their crazy personalities are fun to watch. I'm fascinated with their pecking order. I notice which ones are good friends and which ones aren't invited to the lunch table. Gregg, my rooster, tries to keep everyone in line.
What's it like having a rooster?
If you have neighbors who don't mind early morning rooster songs, I highly recommend one. Gregg protects the flock. While the ladies dig for bugs, Gregg keeps one eye on them and one eye on the sky. If he sees anything that remotely looks like a predator, he lets out his rooster sound, and the girls scramble to the bushes. His other job is to procreate, which he takes pretty seriously. Gregg is always getting jiggy with one of the girls in the back. If you blink, you'll miss it!
How many chickens do you have?
One rooster, six hens, and five pullets for a total of 12.
Do you have a favorite?
Lucy was my favorite because she had such a personality, and was always up for my shenanigans. I taught her to swim (well, once), but it wasn't her favorite activity. So, I bought her a harness and took her for a walk. She liked that even less than the swimming lesson.
How is it raising little chicks?
I love getting them when they are babies and holding them so that they grow up to be sweet and gentle. I've been raising five chicks since mid-March. My husband built an "annex" on our existing coop. Eventually, they'll run the place with the big girls.
Article by Beth Glennon
Photography by Heidi Drexler
Originally published in Kirkwood City Lifestyle