I'm not actually crazy. Unless it concerns chickens and/or poultry. Then yes, you may consider me crazy. I've had chickens for a couple of years now - much to my neighbors' chagrin, but to my delight. I admit it, I'm a chicken nerd. And dang proud of it!

I started out by adopting a few adult chickens off of KSL (similar to Craig's List) that needed re-homing. I had no idea then that chickens could have such diverse personalities! Or that they could come in so many incredible varieties. Needless to say, I went from adults to chicks of my own, and my partial obsession turned into a passion.







I refer to my back yard as "the preserve". In addition to the chickens and turkeys I keep, I also see a number of wild birds back there, hence the name. Here are some of the residents.

Larky! Aka, Miss Mouth. My Rhode Island Red and head hen. Lark has been the boss since she was little. She'll break up fights, put rowdy flock members in their place, keep an eye out for danger, and help you eat your sandwich (whether you want her to or not) She is always chatty. I can ask her, "Bok bok?" and she will reply with a hearty, "Baaaawk bawk bawk bawk bokbokbokbokbok baaawk!"


Chelsea, who has many titles. Chelsea the Sneak. Chelsea the Ninja. Chelsea, the Leghorn who will strut back and forth and laugh her head off while you're stuck hip-deep in a tangle of ivy trying to find all 27 of her hidden eggs. She's such a clever girl, and I really do love her, despite all the grumbling.


Chuck Norris, or "Nora". I thought she was a he when she was a baby. Surprise! Nora is a lovely little hen, and thus far, she's raised two broods of babies. Now, she's an Easter Egger crossed with a Leghorn. Does someone want to explain to me again how those breeds don't usually go broody? Because I think Nora missed that notice.




Flekka, one of my Icelandic hens. She is such a sweetheart and is absolutely gorgeous. Her name means "the speckled one" in Icelandic.


Lenny, whose name is a play on "lean". Lenny was born with physical deformities that make him a bit of an oddball. He has a number of quirky traits, including a huge lump on one shoulder and a weird foot. Still, Lenny thinks he's the man, and he hardly ever crows, which is nice in a neighborhood.


Summer, another of my Icelandic hens. Her nickname is Psycho Summer. Why Psycho? Because she's a loony. She'll pull crazy escape attempts. She'll sample your lip, if she's close enough. She would pulp wasps as a chick and eat them. And, she's been charming enough to chase one of my neighbors in her own yard, despite the fact that this hen probably weighs less than two pounds. I love my nut.


This is Betty, my mutt turkey hen. She's shy, sly, spry, and the best broody mama ever. When she was setting on eggs, I'd have to equip a leather jacket and winter gloves just to feed her, because she was so fiercely protective of her brood. Unlike many other turkeys I obtain an raise, Betty is not for the table. She is strictly my pet.


Gunther and Sven, my Icelandic roos. They are great for finding food for their ladies, sounding an alarm, and Sven is so chill about being picked up and carried around. I love watching their dopey antics.


Angel, my black Wyandotte. Her name has fit her ever since she was a chick. She is so mild, so sweet, and made a very good mother. I love seeing her poofy black shape out in the yard.


When I tell people that I have chickens and turkeys, most of them look at me like I'm crazy. Especially when I tell them that they all have names and are my pets. I'm sure they wonder why I keep such odd "pets." Well, look at these pictures and decide.













So - why do I keep these birds? Because they make my life that much more wonderful.