Eggs for Hatching

Yesterday I found this clutch of ten eggs out in the brush. The three blue ones are from my Americauna hen or one of her pullet offspring. For a week or more Princess has been acting very broody--staying on the nest long after she has laid an egg, and all the other features of broodiness. I've made a few half-hearted attempts to break the broodiness. Last night, as I have for several nights, I removed her from the nest when it was time to roost. I have been blocking nest entrance overnight. Then I thought of those eggs out in the brush, put them in a basket, and took them to he coop. I laid them all out in the nest, then placed Princess on the eggs. Immediately she looked pleased. The eggs were laid in a larger circle than she could cover, so she looked them over, then, with her beak, ootched one of them on under her warm body. She picked another and moved it, until she had them all in place. Then she eased down over them with a most content motherly look in her eyes. She is happy, and within three weeks or so, we will again be playing "baby chicks."

Would You Eat Black Chicken Meat?

How about that? The Black Sumatra--Cemani--chicken is a rare bird, on the endangered poultry list. The chicken has black feathers, black skin, and has black meat and bones. Although somewhat rare, they are sold in meat markets in several Pacific Rim countries. One or two hatcheries in the United States have them available. Supposedly, they taste just like ordinary chicken, but some believe they have extraordinary health benefits. The rooster is a graceful-looking bird with long flowing tail. For most of us, this will remain in the chicken trivia category. [I learned that the previous image, that of a "dressed" chicken, prepared for the market, was considered "gross" by some. As a result, an image of the live bird has been substituted.]

Gender Identity Problems

First, as you have read, there was Celie, the crowing hen. Celie no longer crows because, as again you have read, she hid out on me one night and the community 'coon had chicken for his midnight meal. The accompanying image, taken back in June, is of Joe as a young cockerel. He is now a sexually mature and active young rooster. But. Lately, after watching the pullets and hens on the nests where they lay their eggs, he has gotten it in his head to attempt the same. We sometimes hear the hens singing in cacophonous complaint because they want to lay an egg, but Joe is on their nest. Why can't my chickens be content with their gender? Maybe if I knew the answer to that question, I would know the answer to a lot of other questions. But I am clueless.