October 14, 2009

You've Gotta Start Somewhere


The egg on the left is the first attempt at egg laying by one of our last young hens to start laying. All of the first eggs have been small, but this one is just precious. It is only barely the size of a half dollar, perfectly round and warty. The only one of our young hens yet to lay is Chickadena, and I'm beginning to wonder if she ever will. Not only that, I'm beginning to wonder if "she" is the appropriate gender label. Her tail and neck feathers are looking very roosterish, but there's been no signs of crowing or spurs developing. On the other hand, her body shape is very hen-like. She is definitely the loner of the flock and prefers to hang out with us (we've spoiled her). Secretly I think that she may be an asexual, genderless chicken who will probably never lay an egg or announce the rising of the sun...not that there's anything wrong with that.

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