Doing the Chicken Dance or Umm…Rooster Dance!

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A few weeks ago on Twitter, I mentioned that we found out two of the four hens- Patsy and Tiny are roosters! We’ve raised them since they were chicks so there was no telling until they started to Cock a Doodle and fight (bounce chests) in our yard. It wasn’t only in the mornings either. They’d crow in the afternoon and at night! It drove us crazy for a few weeks. Finally, one day last week, I decided to call the woman we bought them from.  We paid $5- for them, so, I figured it wouldn’t be that big of deal to ask her to take them back. I told her that we did not want roosters and that when we purchased them she assured us that they were female. Initially, I drove to her home and spoke with her daughter about the situation and her daughter relayed that they would not have any chicks ready for a few weeks. I proceeded to tell her we were in no hurry to have two more hens and that we wouldn’t mind waiting a few weeks for chicks. She was very polite and told me that she’d come over the same day and pick up the roosters. We live on the same street so she didn’t have to drive very far.

She was over in a flash and came in our yard carrying an empty cage for the roosters and one with two hens. Fast forward and half hour before really quick- I just wanted to mention that I did attempt to catch the roosters but that was NOT going to happen. First of all, they started flying everywhere and I had no idea you had to catch them by the legs until I spoke with them on the phone. I was a little terrified and that’s when I decided to call her. Otherwise, I would of just shown up with the roosters at her door. LOL!

Okay, so she’s in my driveway now and I then ask her about the hens and she replies ” I decided to give you some out of my stash!” I’m thinking alright- I’m cool with that- I guess. She and her daughter capture the roosters and let the new hens in with Henrietta and Dixie. It was at that point that I realized the hens did not look like they were in great condition. They didn’t appear to be healthy. I did not say anything and let them leave with the roosters. Bye, bye roosters…sorry we couldn’t keep ya!

Later, when my husband arrived home (I called him after they left to let him know my feelings) we inspected the chickens further. We both noticed right away that the one hen had diarrhea and was looking quite ill- it’s bottom was covered in it. The other chicken was a bit unhealthy looking. We decided to ride it out and see what may come. A week later (yesterday), I took it upon myself to call the “chicken lady” and have her come get the hens. She jokingly stated “ Oh no, don’t tell me they’re roosters”. I proceeded to tell her what was wrong and she acted like she knew nothing of it- of course! But, she was acting quite calm and just said she’d be over shortly to retrieve them. Instead her daughter and a friend showed up at the gates in 5 minutes or less and picked them up! Off they went. I think Henrietta and Dixie were happy to see them go. I really didn’t want them to get sick- they’ve been great hens. At the start of summer they were laying eggs like crazy about 2 a day from each. I’ve learned that in the winter they slow their egg laying. At the start of fall, it was like clockwork we only get about 1 a day. We haven’t figured out who stopped laying but one of them did. We often let them out into the yard to wander and look for bugs and worms and till the dirt for us in some areas! It’s great.

Tristan loves to go every morning and feed them and check for eggs. He always crouches down and points to one and says “egg”! It’s really cute. When my neice and nephew come over they love to watch them and my neice will go and retrieve eggs if she see’s one or two! She always asks about them. Kids really find them to be fascinating. I’m happy that Tristan has the opportunity to grow up with chickens and horses. He loves em’ both.  When Spring time comes back around we’re planning to get a goat and 2 more chickens for the kids- that sounds so weird to say (pregnant now)! We’ll get a goat that can be milked so we can live more sustainably and our kids can enjoy the benefits of goat milk. Tristan loves goat milk- he loves mama’s milk better but that’s another story- LOL!

In any case, chickens are fun and easy to care for. The cost of their food is about $25 dollars a month! Not bad. Their really low maintance and their fun to watch when you let them run free and do their thing. The eggs are delicious and sometimes we’ll get a double yolker! That’s really cool. We haven’t bought a carton of eggs since they started laying! So, it helps out financially.

Visit my bloggy friend The Crunchy Domestic Goddess- she blogged about how raising animals- chickens specifically can help teach your child where our food comes from.

Don’t forget to come back here and tell me what you think!

How about you? Do you have any chickens? What do you know about them as far as laying eggs seasonally? Are you planning to get chickens? What advice do you have about chickens???? Please share your thoughts.

** Update**

7//7/10

We bought 3 more hens this Spring… turns out one is a rooster…Lois is know Louie. HA!

We bought them from a  different lady but this will more than likely result in the same deal…. a phone call to return the rooster but this time no more hens!!!  Will keep you posted.