FROM THE COOP - MONTHLY

Unfortunately, when we acquired the "free" chicks, we thought we would have about a 50/50 split of roosters and hens. Not so. One hen, three roosters. Domino grew faster than all of them and now is way too bossy. Maybe it is because Ebony is now laying brown eggs. She has presented us with about one per day. Unfortunately, we will have to get more hens in order to again sell our eggs.

Our old hens have finally all stopped laying. One-by-one they said their last good-byes. And now the newer ones are mature enough to take over the coop. We were fortunate to have an elementary class ask if we would take their Easter chicks - and we agreed. Some of them are quite colorful. We are waiting eagerly to see what color the eggs they lay.

Our older hens provided the most amazing large brown eggs. When the new chicks arrived, they were still cute little birds - then, they started to grow. It is amazing how quickly they change. then suddenly, they are big enough to put them in the smaller cage and introduce them to the older hens.

We were not sure how many roosters we had from the group. It looks like we have half and half. Hearing the roosters crow makes me think of summers at the farm with my grandad, AO and grandmother, Ruby. Those are special memories of their farm near Olney, MO, and for Tim his Aunt Fran and Uncle Jack, in Little Rock, AR.

We learned that we need better predator control on the farm if we are to let the chickens free range. We lost several chickens last week. In the spirit of “the circle of life” and “life goes on”... We now are raising 11 chicks, given us from a friend. These one week old chicks should be laying in 16-18 weeks.

A couple of the "sisters" decided to see if the grass is greener on the other side of the road. Everyone else is content to forage at the barnyard.

It is fun to see them running around and following us when we are down at the barn and just about anywhere these days.

If they start getting friendlier, we are going to have to name them. It has been fun to see them all bond with each other. We got them in 2020 and all were separated in cages. They have grown strong now that they are able to walk around and enjoy the barnyard. and of course they announce, with a loud cackle, each time they lay an egg.