Buttercup the Cockerel
My chicks have grown up.
Until yesterday, I thought they were both pullets. It all started a couple days ago when I thought Hazel (our hen) was sick since she wouldn’t leave the nesting box. I went into the coop to check on her only to find she was laying on eggs; we assumed she was confused since she wasn’t laying on fertilized eggs.
Hazel wasn’t confused I was.
Yesterday morning, I watched as Hazel and Buttercup did a little dance under my hydrangea and it was then I realized we had a cockerel.
Buttercup the Cockerel
Well, nothing appears to have changed with the flock dynamic. I must say this is the only part of having chickens I don’t like – taking fertilized eggs away from a hen that wants to hatch them. Hazel now freaks out daily when we take away the eggs she’s trying to hatch. Before, she just left them for us to pick up. She can’t have chicks right now anyway since it’s almost winter. I may let her have a chick this spring.
Brownie the Pullet (I think)
Until then, we continue being horrible people.
Don’t worry. Buttercup is part of the family, he’s not going anywhere. I just wish this was as exciting as a pullet laying her first egg.
Four Chickens Snuggled Together in one Nesting Box
Gardening in My Rubber Boots 
Buttercup is a fantastic name for a big, macho rooster. We have a geriatric rooster we call Old Man Henry. He’s too old to do his roosterly duty, so our eggs aren’t fertilized. I like it that way!
Here’s a story about Henry.
http://moonovermartinborough.com/2009/07/25/old-man-henry-and-the-chook-house-race-wars/
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The story about Old Man Henry is very touching. I’m glad he found you guys.
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Flock dynamic? It’s four chickens.
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I looked it up and the definition of “flock” is a group of birds. Four chickens is a group of birds – if you’re not careful I’ll let Hazel hatch more than one chick in the spring and then we’ll really have a “flock.” xo
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They were doing the dance thing while you were on vacation. Tried to get a pic, no luck. Post a pic of your front door. It is so perfect!
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I’ll post a picture once we get the trim painted. I need to start looking for our “third” paint color or accent color for the inside of our windows. I’m thinking a dark orange/red/brown color that matches the door stain.
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I just pine away every spring when the feed stores around here sell baby chicks. I think it would be so cool to have a few cruising around. Unfortunately so does my Malamute.
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Hey ,
Im new here and just wanted to stop by and say hi :)
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