In early April we made a decision. It has been a bit pricey, but it has been fun. Everything also has said that we will recoup some of our expenditures. But well, it's just been an outlay of money. But like I said, it gives us entertainment.
The Background
Jason loves animals. He would have one of everything if he could. Literally. One day he will walk by our shed and turn to me and say, " I've always wanted a donkey. We could put a donkey in this shed and in the front field" But the next time we walk by together he will say, (and I quote) "I think this shed/barn would be perfect for an Alpaca." But we have also had a discussion about how it would be really cool to turn the barn into a rescue sanctuary for birds of prey. And lets not forget the statement "I want an owl!" or the next week, "Sugar gliders! I've always wanted one!"
It is a common occurrence to have him come home from work to tell a story about an animal that he saw and got to interact with as he goes into houses as an appliance repairman. I hear about birds, snakes, dogs, cats...you name it. I even hear stories such as this one, "MaryFran, I was eating my lunch in my van and a baby squirrel fell out of a tree. It laid there and I watched and let me tell you, if mamma squirrel didn't come back, I was bringing that squirrel home because I've always wanted a squirrel for a pet." Mamma squirrel did come back that day, so I was spared. But you get the point. The man loves animals.
Chickens
In early April we were having a conversation and we decided to go ahead with adding chickens to our life. I had thought about it for years (even before I was with Jason) and well, you know Jason had thought about it quite a bit simply because it's an animal! We took the leap and got 4 baby chicks. And those chicks resided in my family room for weeks upon weeks. They were the most coddled and loved chicks for sure.
While they were growing.....in my family room, Jason and I had to get something ready because why yes, we bought chicks before we even had a chicken coop! A chunk of change later and we were the proud owners of a chicken coop and chicken run that resided in our yard. It took a while for Jason to feel comfortable for the chickens to actually spend the night in the coop (remember, these chickens are coddled and much loved.) But eventually they did move to the coop and they have been in the coop and outside now for about 2 or 3 months now. Still growing, still acting crazy and still costing us money....because the money outlay didn't end after the cost of the coop. They need food, and treats and bedding for the coop. They even got an electric fence around the coop to protect them.
The Dog
Side story. Zoey loved the chickens when they were inside. And she continued to love them when they moved outside. She had no problem going into the pen with these wee little babies (they were still wee little when we took them outside). It was honestly adorable to see our big dog intrigued and fascinated with the chickens. But a few weeks after we put up the fence she got zapped. Somehow in her dog brain, she has decided that the chickens are what caused her to get zapped. Therefore, she is now petrified of the chickens...and barely tolerates being in the backyard with them. Big sissy!
The chickens
SO the chickens have been outside for a few months, costing us money. But we have been talking about how we should be getting close to them starting to lay eggs. I have laughed about the fact that Jason has a work convention that he is going to and the chickens would most likely start laying while he is gone, meaning he would miss his first egg. I even laughed and said, "I'll put a store bought egg in the coop and tell you they laid while you were gone just for a laugh." But that trip isn't until next month.
So two nights ago I was making dinner and looked out the door to the backyard. The dog was cowering as far away from the chicken coop as possible and Jason was tending the chickens inside the electric fence. I stepped onto the back porch and innocently asked "have you been checking the nesting boxes regularly in case they start laying."
Jason grinned and turned around and walked back to the nesting box. He opened it up and then looked at me and said, "ha ha ha, you put an egg in there."
Dumbfounded I said, "Is there an egg in there?" He just started to laugh so I assumed he was teasing me. I continued, "No, I wouldn't do that, but it would be funny if I did. Maybe I should do that some day soon."
We laughed a bit and Jason went about continuing to clean the coop and pen while I stood out there talking to him. All of a sudden he turned to me and said, "Seriously though, how long ago did you put that egg in there, so I know what to do with it."
"What?"
Yes, one of our chickens laid an egg!
It is the most expensive egg! Coop + Run + Electric fence + food + bedding + Treats = 1 egg
Last night I let the chickens out and I peeked into the nesting box. We had another one! But those two eggs are STILL expensive. hahaha. :-)
We are pretty sure that it is one or both of the gray chickens....or as I call them, one of the Millies (Millicent or Mildred). The Black Jersey Giants are the same age, but they mature more slowly and usually take 1-2 months longer than the others to start laying. But no fear, I am sure the jersey Giants (Esmeralda and Gertrude) will join in the fun soon.
But yeah, the chickens are laying!!!!
