Chickens, Roosters, & Eggs

August 30th, 2012

Back around Easter, Ben’s mom decided to buy some chicks. As a 4th grade teacher, she had hatched many eggs in her classroom over the years and then brought the chicks home to raise as pets. These are the first set of chickens that she has raised in a long time and we have all been eager for them to start laying eggs.

There are 3 roosters, Big Red (the alpha male), Roger, and Adam (he was originally Ms. Pretty until we discovered he was a male). The 3 hens are named Briana, Evi II (aka Evi 2 or Evi Too named after our cat Eva who we call Evi), and Henna.

Sunday, when we were visiting Ben’s mom, we discovered that one or more of the hens had laid their first eggs. We found four eggs spread out in various spots between their hen house where they sleep and the fenced-in area where they eat and roost underneath an old Concord grape vine. Unfortunately, before we were able to get to the fourth egg, the chickens all pecked it and devoured it. That seemed like strange behavior to me, but I’m sure it’s not the first time it has happened in the history of the world.

Two of the first eggs laid by the Davidson chickens. We assume they came from different hens since they are different colors.

The chickens gathered together possibly hoping for us to give them food.

It’s been really cool watching them grow and mature over the past few months. I remember how exciting it was the first couple of times we heard Big Red crow! And I learned that roosters will crow at any time of the day, not just in the mornings. I’m looking forward to lots of eggs from these beautiful birds!