RicelandMeadows

                                                                    June 3, 2011

     Here are a pair of Buckeye chickens. They are a breed of laying chickens that get their origin in Warren, Ohio. A lady breeder named them after successfully creating the breed. They lay a big brown egg and do well in our harsh winters. They are a heritage breed that is making a come back.

     I am trying this pair to see if they will hatch a brood of their own. I have tried this before with other breeds without much success, but I feel confident that these might just do it. They will have the run of the back barnyard. I am hoping that the hen becomes broody and sets on a nice clutch of eggs. The proud rooster will have to wait nearby, while his mate does all the work.

     Isn’t that they way it is with farm animals? The men of the specie breed, eat and lay around. The females raise the young, by feeding and caring for them. The farmer does the housework as far as clean up goes, while the animal males do almost nothing!

     I am sure there are a few wives having a field day with this post. They do the child rearing, house keeping and cooking while the men lay around or at least it seems that way. I say no, good partnering is a balance of chores and fun. The jobs are shared. I will say that around here gender does indeed play a role 😮

     I have been known to lay around now and then while my dear mate cleans and cooks. I do the stuff like plow and shovel snow, farm chores and keep her car filled with gas. It doesn’t matter how the jobs are divided, just so that they are somewhat fair…. or at least your mate thinks so!

     The little red hen may hatch a brood of chicks and raise them without the help of the rooster. Someone may even write a book about how she did it herself. (“Not I”, said the writer, for the book is already written.) She may even get them all to maturity … all by herself … But I think her life is much better for having a rooster in it.

     I have been known to crow a bit and Lord knows that I am a morning person. I strut about, holding true to the word cockiness. I watch over my flock and keep a mindful eye on anything strange. I got it good and I know it .. and that my friend is indeed something to crow about 😮