Went out to feed my chickens some fruit and some scratch corn this morning and as always, it was just a joy although Sam will no longer eat out of my hand. He looks at whatever I'm holding out to him with his fierce rooster eye and will not take whatever I'm offering.
It is as if he is saying, "Human! I will not deign to take food from your hand! Don't you know? I am Rooster, all powerful and never humbled!"
Okay, dude, I tell him. No problem. Just more for the hens.
He's not mean or anything and he certainly likes to examine what I'm holding out up close and personal but he just can't bring himself to accept my charity.
Anyway, I checked the laying boxes where I found another egg. I have been getting approximately one egg a day and they all look just like each other. They are glorious eggs with whites as thick as glue. The meringues I will make when I have an abundance of eggs!
Anyway, as you know, I have decided that Miss Red is my one and only layer. I have seen her on the nest and then I have seen eggs there. I have not caught her in the act and don't really want to invade her privacy like that anyway.
But here's the thing- there was a lovely little tail downy feather (see above) along with my egg this morning. And there is not one shred of red in it. At all. I took it out to the coop and compared it with Red's feathers and I can't see anything on her little red body that resembles this feather in color.
So hmmmm.
Do I have two chickens laying on alternate days? Is Miss Red really not the deliverer of these eggs?
Gosh. So many questions arise in raising chickens.
It is, I have to say, just a fascinating experience.
For those easily fascinated, anyway.
Haha! The mystery remains. I think dad should set up his hunting-cam to see who gives you such nice eggs.
ReplyDeleteI second the hunting cam.
ReplyDeleteOr is Miss Red being an Auntie or surrogate by helping incubate? Do chickens do that?
ReplyDeleteJob sharing.
ReplyDeletePoultry socialism.
That is quite the mystery! I too would be intrigued and want to know who is laying the eggs. The hunting cam is a good idea, except you'd have to watch hours of footage to figure it out, which could get boring. At any rate, it's a fun mystery to have. (My son calls question marks "mysteries" and I think of that every time I see the word.)
ReplyDeleteI have never wanted a coop with chickens before reading your blog. I am completely FASCINATED to say the least. It's like watching a soap opera with chickens instead of people. LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteHoneyLuna and DTG- I think Lora is right- we'd have to watch hours of boring tape. BUT, if we set it up in the morning, not as much. So it's a good idea.
ReplyDeletePalagiGirl- In my world, nothing could be quite as fascinating OR charming as chickens. I'm glad you enjoy the soap opera.
Lora- I love your son.
ReplyDeleteMarsha- No incubating going on here. I snatch those eggs up as soon as I find them. They do not seem to care. They are not what are called "broody" hens. In other words, they are BAD mothers.
ReplyDeleteDaddy X- Oh no. We have Obama chickens. Be afraid. Actually, I don't think chickens are socialists. They seem to be more out for themselves than one for all and all for one. At least when there are grapes around.
Bubba yesterday and now this! All these Lloyd mysteries. Yes, I think a hunting cam is in order. :) ---nicol (I could not comment with google today, weird)
ReplyDeleteNicol- Sorry about the google thing. I have no idea what's going on. Anyway, yes, Lloyd is just a barrel full of monkeys. Night and day- excitement everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThat is a mystery. Hope to find out soon.
ReplyDeleteThe thing to do is set up a 'Coop Cam' and record which hens are laying eggs. Posting live streaming video from the coop cam would be an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteIf you make any money out of the 'Coop Cam' idea, I'd appreciate 10% of it.
Ms. Lucy- Okay. Ten percent. I promise.
ReplyDeleteJoy- All will be revealed eventually, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI bet someone is trying to take Red's glory! They're trying to steal the credit for all her hard work! CATCH THEM! Video for one day...? lol
ReplyDeleteYou know, there are some birds who lay their eggs in other birds' nests and then disappear. Maybe you have one of those kind of birds. And bless Ms Red for stepping up to the plate to mother the abandoned baby! (Well, at least until you snatch it up for breakfast)
ReplyDeletebrock brock brooooooock!
ReplyDeleteI have been pondering many things about orchids today. I know nothing about chickens, or orchids. Maybe I should learn something. About anything. Really.
ReplyDeleteThose who are easily fascinated are my favourite kind of people. Really. In a nutshell.
ReplyDeleteAJ- You may be right.
ReplyDeleteRachel- I think all my hens are going to be abandoners.
Ms. Fleur- Back at ya!
Aunt Becky- Oh. Stop that. You know a lot about a lot.
Mwa- Then you must love me.