What you didn't know about Chickens

   It all started in the art building at Furman University my senior year when a fellow student was telling me about her pet chickens growing up and how fun it was to get eggs.  Having always been smitten with farm life, I was all ears and eager to learn more.

   "And we got blue eggs too, " she said.  

   "What!?" I replied, "Blue eggs?  I don't believe it."  

   She proceeded to tell me about Easter Chickens and the blue-green eggs they lay.  I was totally sold. I decided then and there that someday I would have chickens, especially an Easter Chicken. 

   Justin and I had fun picking out our first set of chicks.  One that would lay a pinkish-tan egg and have a gentle disposition.  A couple that would lay the elusive blue-green egg.  Some with lovely white and black feathers.  And now, almost three years later, we've learned a thing or two about chickens.  Mostly, it's been a blast, but I thought I might share those things I didn't think of when I was wistfully imagining skipping to the hen house to gather my lovely fresh eggs.

   (The not-so-good) Unexpected Hen Facts:

1.  Having chickens also means getting mice and/or rats.... which can also lead to snakes (who may also want to eat your eggs).  How can the little rodents resist all that chicken feed and nice warm hay!?  Well, it at least provides opportunities to invent trapping mechanisms for the rodents and makes for great snake-catching stories.  

(caution, chickens are highly entertaining creatures... especially when a two year old is trying to pick one up)

2.  Want to go organic?  Think again.  You can shell out $40 (or more) per 50 lb bag of organic feed, or settle for the regular stuff at $12 or so per 50 lb bag.  Our 12 chickens go through about two of these bags per month (hence why we don't do organic).  Even if you're not doing organic feed, though, they can get all kinds of perks with your table scraps and pecking around the yard.

(Pecking orders are very real things.  This is Miss Delaware, and she's been head honcho for 3 years)  

3.  On the $ note, don't get chickens to save money.  For fun, yes.  To save money, no.

(fact: chickens like bird baths as much as the song birds do)

4.  Chickens die... kinda a lot.  We've managed to not lose any to wild animals as of yet, but we've had a few get sick and die.  This makes for lots of deep conversations with the children in the family, and it keeps you real to face the reality of death from time to time, but be aware that your feathered friends aren't likely to last as long as your dog or cat.

(People may drive slowly by your house if you're a chicken owner... what can I say, everyone loves spotting a chicken!

You may be fascinated to know that our chickens DO NOT cross the road.)

5.  Chickens only lay eggs for about 2 years.  So...now you've got a hen on your hands who is taking up space and food but not giving any eggs in return.  What do you do with your older chickens?  It's a question we are starting to face.  Some people let them go in the woods for a last hurrah before they are taken out by a fox or hawk.  Others keep them as pets until they pass away (but if your coop can only hold so many birds comfortably, you may not want it full of hens that aren't laying).  Some prefer to turn the old lady into dinner, and maybe just maybe if you cook her slow enough all day she'll be tender, but I doubt it.

(Chickens are a great conversation piece when visitors come to call, and everyone loves a gift of fresh eggs.)

6.  Chickens poop.  Lots.  Everywhere.  I love seeing my flock sprint out of the coop to enjoy the vastness of our yard, but there is a penalty we pay.  Our chickens like our sidewalks and garage (which doesn't have a door).  You can't tell a chicken where to poop or where not to poop.  In other words, if you come to our house to visit, watch where you step.

There you have it.  Still want chickens?  We do! :)