Penny is a Blue Orpington, and a rather nicely conformed one at that. She is the oldest chicken on the farm and is here because of an accident actually. When I got the first chicks, 40 Blue, Black and Splash Orpingtons, I knew nothing about chickens and indeed was afraid of them, being traumatized as a tiny child spurred by a rooster in a coop. My phobia was something I was determined to overcome, so raising chickens was on my list of things I must do. As it turned out, Orpington chickens were not the sort I liked, though I did not like any, so in all fairness, they had no chance. Penny was terribly injured by the dogs when she flew over the fence and they ripped the skin and feathers from her back. At that time, the dogs were Anna and Joseph, two young Lassie collies, who did not know better yet. So, when the rest of the chickens went to the processor, Penny remained with the ducks. She wintered alone, perched above the ducks in a hoop shelter and it was a marvel she survived the cold winter, but she was hardy. She is a favourite of the roosters and she has also raised a brood of chicks.
When Sandra, the Speckled Sussex, came the following year, along with others, the two immediately bonded. Who said chickens do not have emotions and make friends? They certainly do, and these two pals are proof. They love to just be together, away from the flock, particularly away from the roosters. The farmhouse seems the perfect hangout to them, only I do not appreciate what they leave behind on the deck, so they have been banished back to the barnyard. They do sneak 'home' when the gate is left open and just make themselves comfortable in the cedar tree or on the deck. Both lay large pinkish eggs, but they are older hens and their production is much less now. They are good food converters and forage well, so as long as they are healthy, they can remain on the farm. Penny deserves that much, being the matriarch, and she also deserves her friend. Sweet hens, they are.
When Sandra, the Speckled Sussex, came the following year, along with others, the two immediately bonded. Who said chickens do not have emotions and make friends? They certainly do, and these two pals are proof. They love to just be together, away from the flock, particularly away from the roosters. The farmhouse seems the perfect hangout to them, only I do not appreciate what they leave behind on the deck, so they have been banished back to the barnyard. They do sneak 'home' when the gate is left open and just make themselves comfortable in the cedar tree or on the deck. Both lay large pinkish eggs, but they are older hens and their production is much less now. They are good food converters and forage well, so as long as they are healthy, they can remain on the farm. Penny deserves that much, being the matriarch, and she also deserves her friend. Sweet hens, they are.
RSS Feed