Elysian Field Originals

The days are getting warmer and my Rhode Island Reds are very happy. The youngest are now starting to lay “practice” eggs which started out the size of grape tomatoes and have now progressed to very small eggs. Needless to say the “girls” are very proud of themselves and strut around the yard like they own the place!

I heard someone say that Nature has a way of taking care of itself and watching my chickens gives
me a true appreciation for them. In the past the only concern I had for chicken was if it was to be fried, broiled or baked. I look at these funny feathered fiends now, and realize that they each have their own quirky personalities and mannerisms. How would I ever have known that by looking at that chicken leg quarter on my plate what I was missing?

Does that mean that I’ll stop eating chicken? No, probably not, (I don’t eat it often to begin with) but it does mean I’ll give them just a little bit more respect and will be a little more grateful when I do.

Did I say I love my chickens? Yes, I do… indeed I do!

It seems we have a new visitor to my hen’s house. This pesky squirrel insists on making daily raids to steal tidbits and when I’ve chased him off has the nerve to come back with his two sidekicks and continue to pilfe whatever they can. I literally walked right up to about two feet from them and they just look at me as if I am the intruder bothering them. Cheeky devils!

And here are my two newest “peeps”. They are nine week old Rhode Island Red hens. After living for a week in my shed they’ve made the transition to the “big” house where the pecking order has been established with no blood shed yet, lol.

Clara was most vocal in her opposition to the newcomers and Belle hearing her sister holler chimed right in.

If you’ve never seen a hen pitch a fit of jealousy, well let’s just say I have never laughed so hard in ages. I’ll post some new pics of the “girls” later this week.

Valerie