Meet the ladies (and gent) behind the dream

When I dream of being a farmer I envision a big, beautiful vegetable garden, lush flower beds with bees buzzing around pollinating everything and chickens bustling about eating bugs, aerating the soil, laying beautiful eggs, and of course leaving behind incredible compost. The decision to get chickens was a big one. We travel a lot during winter for sports and spend plenty of time away during the summer. We worried that the chickens would take too much time and effort and that the benefits wouldn’t be worth it. Let me just say this, they are. The eggs are beautiful and delicious. The compost they help create is awesome for the garden and flowers. More importantly though, they are fun and entertaining pets. They each have their own unique personality and it’s been so enjoyable watching them grow from fluffy little chicks into the hens/rooster they are today. So let’s meet the ladies (and gent) behind the dream.

Morrie (Silkie) - Our big, bad rooster who still doesn’t know he’s a boy. He’s the smallest of our chickens and was picked on from day one. Morrie isn’t quite sure how to keep his harem in line. Shy is how I would describe him (unless you’re my middle daughter or a 2 year old boy then he’ll let you have it). His side- shuffle love dance is hilarious and I think the hens are secretly laughing at him.

Giuseppe (Plymouth Barred Rock) - She should have been the rooster as she rules the roost. From a young chick she dominated the other chickens yet was the first to let us hold her. She is bossy and feisty but still loveable.

Lola (Brahma) - She is our big, goofy chicken. She loves to eat and runs like an ostrich. She is sweet and gentle and lays gigantic eggs.

Queen Latifah (Faverolle) - “Queenie” as we like to call her, beats to her own drum. She often seems unaware of her surroundings until she realizes she’s alone and then will start running and squawking until she finds the rest of the chickens. She’s the broody hen of the bunch and will turn into the girl from The Exorcist if you try and take her eggs.

Penny (Easter Egger)- Penny is a sweet chicken, a little nervous but does enjoy being petted. She lays beautiful green, blue and pink eggs.

Giovanna (Easter Egger)- “Gia” has yet to let me pet or hold her. She’s a scaredy- cat but very inquisitive. She also lays multi colored eggs.

Myrtle (Silver Laced Wyandotte)- She’s my grandmother’s name sake and a beauty she is. She pals around with Morrie (his only friend) and loves to be hand fed. She is very independent and likes to explore on her own. She lays big, rich brown eggs.

Nothing compares to working in the garden or weeding flower beds and having the chickens surround you, seeking your attention and hoping for a treat. The eggs and compost are secondary to the joy they bring to our lives.