Tell me about your chickens!

[theoldchick]

Morse Code is my most unique hen. She was the runt of the flock from the moment she arrived from Cackle Hatchery. Always unique in her development for a while there I thought she was deprived of a few brain cells. Maybe stuck in her egg for too long or something like that.

As a chick she loved to peck vertical surfaces. When all others were quiet in the brooder she was pecking secret messages...

My tiny little gal was a loner...

As she grew she continued to like to peck at vertical surfaces...

She always knew how to enjoy herself.....

She couldn't even make an egg.....

I love her for her uniqueness and beauty. This is Morse Code:

 

[theoldchick]

Here is a sister of Morse Code. Her name is Askew. Even at this age she was a camera hog....

As she developed she became easily discernible from the others...

Her eyes turned green...

Then amber...

She's always ready for a hug...

And is a pretty good photographer's assistant.....

This is Askew:

 

[GardenGal]

Our chickens warm my heart even as they make the rest of my life crazy! I marvel at posters who say chicken ownership adds another five minutes to their morning. This is my routine. Roosters crow at 6:50, I drag myself out of bed and let them into the run. Brew coffee, then let them into the tractor so they can have a good root around. Then someone has to lay an egg, back to the run. No one else wants to stay in the run, so back across the yard. Then I remember I'm still wearing pajamas and skulk inside to get dressed. Pour coffee, move the chickens. Then someone else wants to lay an egg. Back to the run, back in the tractor, fetch the first chicken who laid an egg. My husband thinks I'm crazy, and all our neighbors call us the chicken people. But they're so worth it. Guess my post is more about chicken ownership than chickens. In a nutshell:

The Big Kahuna, RIR mix, lead hen, keeps the two roosters in line, lays double yolkers every other egg, worries about everything.

Loretta, RIR mix, good girl, very instinctive. First to forage, bet she'll go broody if anyone does.

Roosters: Gregory Peck and Bobby, SS. Gregory is a gorgeous bird, and will hold a grudge if I offend him. Bobby has no tail and can be scatterbrained. Both have a huge vocabulary, and can sound like anything from ravens to monkeys.

Dixie Chick, BR mix, our gregarious and intrepid girl. Her motto, eat it now, find out if it's edible later. She loves to perch on people, friend or stranger, doesn't matter.

Amelia, BR mix, kind of the dark horse, but very smart and interested in things. She and Dixie definitely think things through, and are the best at escaping.

May we never be without chickens