Chicken love. It’s in magazines everywhere lately. I made a run to Barnes & Noble bookstore and picked up a few favorite titles, and this is what I found during that one trip.
A gorgeous Appenzeller Spitzhauben pullet named Heidi sports the cover of the June/July issue of Organic Gardening. Inside, an article models especially fancy schmancy breeds. Most of my chickens aren’t quite so stylish, but they still sport a certain undeniable chicken splendor.
In the current issue of Urban Farm (a sister publication of Hobby Farm Home), chickens abound, and there’s a great article on backyard coops in the city. Locally, Oklahoma City still doesn’t allow city chickens (ridiculous), but there are still plenty of people with them ensconced in their backyards. Interestingly, I’m told Edmond, an upscale suburb about twenty minutes south of me (and marching my way), allows up to three hens. No roosters. In Guthrie, the small town north of us, chickens are encouraged. Another article in Urban Farm is “Barnyard Backyard” wherein cute bunnies, lambs, sweet-eyed goats, and yes, chickens grace its pages. Editors, take note, this is a great publication full of information and glitzier than its cousin. I’m sure it appeals to Generation Y along with everyone else, and no, I don’t write for them, yet.
Chickens have indeed arrived, again, because everything comes full circle. My grandmother always had a backyard flock in her small town of Commerce, and when I would visit, one of the highlights was going to the coop after supper leftovers in hand.
So, when I grew up and moved to the country, I keep my own mixed flock of sturdy hens. I’m often asked, what do I do with all those eggs? In spring, when hens produce more in their endless dance in the circle of life, we are awash in eggs. I give some away, sell others, and we often have eggs for supper especially during spring. Omelets, frittatas, and quiche all call out for greens also ready now, and as I whisk up a dish, I’m reminded of my grandmothers making more egg recipes during spring.
This afternoon, Bear and I were home alone as the boys went camping so I decided to make a frittata to go with strawberries picked this morning. I prepped the berries and put some sugar on them. Because I wanted the sugar to draw out their juice, and I was in no hurry, I then went outdoors to feed the chickens and gather the eggs. I am fortunate to eat eggs laid the same day. Because we have chickens, and it is spring, I embrace this luxury.
Shaking the pan of berry tops, I called to the flock who gathered at my feet. Chicken joy ensued with much discussion over the berry tops and other scraps. Inside the coop, I found four hens “on the nest.” Although they have nesting boxes, my hens often want to lay eggs on the floor. I reached under three different girls and pulled out eggs so fresh they were still warm and had the dusky membrane not completely dry. I brought in six of these beauties, along with green onions, spinach, and chard. I added garlic, potatoes and dairy free cheese to create a frittata. The recipe is below.
Although Alex wishes things were different, here, Rocky Rococo is the ruler of the roost. While the chickens ate their treat, Rocky walked about showing them the best pieces of berry. You’d of thought he prepped the berries himself.
I sat and took photos giggling at his antics. Chickens are more entertaining than most TV.
You make me want chickens, Dee, for the pleasure of truly fresh eggs. I’d even cook them! Alas, the yard police would not allow even hens here on my corner of Katy. Annie the Terrierist would also be most upset!
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Love the chicken pics, and I’ll have to try that recipe.
Suzanne
LOVED meeting Rocky, Alex, and your “girls.” Such refined little things.
We enjoyed every second of our time with you and your wonderful family. What a treat to finally talk “live” and in person.
Sending love,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
P.S. Check out your pictures on my new posting. You look GREAT!
I REALLY want chickens, but my hubby says no…Very sad! He doesn’t want to find someone to look out for them if we go away. We still have to have the garden and the dogs looked after, so what’s a few chickens I say!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Chickens ! =-.
Hi Dee, what a handsome rooster.
I guess I can understand why some people in town wouldn’t want chickens roaming around free (you know some owners wouldn’t keep the chickens penned properly). They would tend to scratch up a flower garden. But on the other hand. if the chickens were kept at home and no roosters to annoy folks, I don’t see a problem.
I’ve wanted to keep chickens here but between the coyotes and the below zero winters, I haven’t tried.
Marnie
That frittata sounds delish! How lucky you are to have fresh eggs a few steps away.
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Love Alex. He’s cute! Do your roosters fight a lot? Roosters didn’t last long on my parents’ farm. They were always fighting and chasing us. Mom only wanted hens from the hatchery but a few rooster still came home with us every year.
Just popped over from Sarah’s blog (Brit Gal in the USA)…. love your blog! I live just to your north, right over the state line in KS. (We’re only 1 mile from OK.) We’ve got 27 acres, 3 horses, 3 dogs, and 3 cats, and an empty chicken coop. We’ve finally started fixing it up, and I’m hoping to have my own chickens by this fall, or at least next spring fershur! I love the australorps and was planning to get a few of those.
Great blog here, I love it! 🙂 Have a wonderful week.
.-= Oz Girl´s last blog ..Springtime Giveaway Winner{s} =-.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Wow! You are one busy girl of remind me of when I first moved out here. If you’re planning on chicks, I’d get them in the spring because winter is hard on them especially in somewhere like Kansas with the wind.~~Dee
I love all your chicken pictures, Dee! I just love chickens. We are averaging a doz eggs a day. I sold 3 doz at my local farmers market Saturday. It is more rewarding to just give them away though.
Thanks always for all the good information you post. I’m gonna try your recipe. It looks yummy!
Have a great week!
Kelly
.-= Kelly Bundy´s last blog ..garden shoes =-.
I don’t really want chickens–can’t take care of more than I am already and I gave up being super woman with my last corporate job…but am definitely going to make that fritatta. YUM!
I had chickens in the past and you’re right they’re more entertaining than TV. But so is watching the grass grow these days. We’re preparing to go full circle as soon as I ‘retire’ and don’t have to leave home for extended periods although I’ll skip the milk cow this time.
.-= wiseacre´s last blog ..Toothpaste Slime Mold =-.
I love garden tours. About a month ago I went on a “Peep at the Coops” tour. It was gardeners that raised “city chicks.” So many unique ways to house the chickens. I was so amazed at each home. Some of those chicks live quite well! 🙂 It was a wonderful tour!
Hi Dee – Your frittata looks amazing! I will have to try it! Yesterday I made eggs with freshy picked asparagus and some self sown brocolli rabe. Last year I planted the rabe. It makes lots of seed and I have seen it coming up here and there. Your right about Blotanical being hard to navigate especially lately. Thanks for the visit and comment –
I grew up with chickens, ducks, and geese. We always had eggs! We kept the geese to work the cotton. Dad also raised turkeys for a while.
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Lovely chicken post, Dee! I’m on my third round of chickens right now, and mine are only about 7 weeks old (Delaware variety this time as they’re supposed to be quieter – we’ll see about that!). I agree with you – they’re SO much more entertaining than TV. My 14 year old daughter comes home from school every day and we go outside to just ‘hang with the girls’ – perfect way to relax! Will print out your frittata recipe and file away until they start laying eggs – looks delicious!
I grew up on a small dairy farm in northern Ohio and we always had chickens. You are right about full circle. Organic gardening, fresh food from the garden, composting. I’m back around like I’m 10 years old and not sure if I can build the new chicken coup by myself this time around!
.-= compostinmyshoe´s last blog ..It’s the Most….. Wonderful Time…of the Year =-.
Not only do I want a bite, I want chickens. We can’t have them here. WAAAHHHHHH
I keep purchasing publications about chickens. I enjoy them vicariously. Ha..