Odette and Odile are 23-week-old sisters belonging to the Spanish breed pita pinta asturiana. They are named after the white swan and black swan in the ballet Swan Lake. I think it is appropriate that they are each a blend of black and white, rather than one being black and one white, because Odette and Odile are usually danced by the same ballerina and so are really always a blending of two characters, with both dark and light elements.



Odette and Odile have very different personalities. Odile is physically bolder -- she is usually the first to venture forth.


Odette is smaller, but I think she is smarter and seems to scope the scene out warily while Odile barrels ahead.



Odile is a little more spaced out, but statuesque and graceful like a dancer.


They have other funny differences as well; for example, they like different snacks! Odile loves scratch, while Odette prefers mealworms. I like to think that Odile is the carb girl while Odette is more Atkins. They each have their own way of climbing down their little ladder, and they each have very particular notions (not always compatible) about who should sleep where on the roosting bar. I love to watch them interact with each other. I have a sister, too, who lives far away and whom I miss a lot, so it is really nice to be able to watch such a sweet, close sister relationship.


For despite all their amusing differences, they have been very attached to each other since they were little pullets...


and love to explore together now that they are big girls.


Odette and Odile are my first chickens, and they have changed my life with their loveliness.