Just a couple of Old Chooks

White, brown, reddish and black. They cluck, lay eggs, like to scratch around and taste good. Up until a couple of days ago, that was pretty much the extent of my chicken knowledge (other than a few favourite recipes). That was until Coco the Hen joined the family. Seemed like a good idea as any when one of Emilio's clients wanted to remove his coop and chicken.

From my crash course in all things poultry, I’m 99% sure that Coco is an Australorp (short for Australian Orpington). A good looking buxom bird, rather large with shiny black green tinged feathers, beady eyes who poops - a lot! Thanks to the good people at Talking Hens, I've learnt heaps.

What I didn't know is how entertaining and curious they are. She's actually pretty friendly, lets me pick her up without trying to peck my eyes out and hasn't tried any great escapes yet. We're hoping to be able to leave the door open whilst we're home so she can roam free. A few times when we went out to check on her, she would strut over to see what was happening and what was on offer.

Lola the Explorer wasn't overly impressed at first, but after a while they seemed to come to an amicable arrangement without the loss of any fur or feathers. Who knows, maybe one day they'll be dancing chick-to-chick, engaging in a little fowl play and watching a chick-flick together.

Like eager parents, we are now awaiting her first egg. Actually, she's already laid eggs - they do go "off lay" when stressed (let's face it who wouldn't be a bit stressed joining this fam). But she's settling in well. Now I feel my brain is scrambled and I'm turning into a crazy chicken lady for wanting two more. Feeling clucky maybe? But so many choices - do we want a couple of good layers or maybe one of those cute, fluffy Silkies?

Eggsellent Chicken Facts I've learnt:

1. There are lots of breeds, types and colours - Hybrids, Heritage, Purebred and Bantam
2. Some are better layers than others (much like women I suppose)
3. Some are calmer and friendlier than others (also much like women)
4. They start laying at around 18 weeks and after 18 months, their egg rate slows down (beginning to see the correlation here between women and hens)
5. A Pullet is a young hen and POL stands for Point of Lay - when they are about to start laying. So a bit like a hormonal 12 year old child
6. Chicks get vaccinated, mites are common and "dusting" them seems to be a rather unglamorous process where you hold them upside down.
7. Chicken food can be supplemented with other stuff. So far we've worked out that Coco likes grainy bread, muesli, oats, corn and grubs. Not that keen on banana, tomato or apple. We're working through the list.
8. The term broody is when a hen wants to hatch her eggs and raise chicks.
9. Did I already mention that chickens poop a lot? But hey, it's good for the garden.

So now that I have a chicken under my care, does that make me a chicken tender? Oh stop egging me on. Gee, we really are just all either Spring Chickens or Old Chooks.