Cluck or Crow?

I never imagined I'd find myself knee-deep in feathers and clucking conversations, but here we are – navigating the comical world of raising chickens in my backyard. As I sit in my cozy little corner of the world known as The Covert Coop, I can't help but contemplate the age-old question that plagues every beginner chicken keeper: Cluck or Crow?

Cluck or Crow? A Beginner's Dilemma

One sunny morning, as I was diligently cleaning the coop, my flock gathered around me, each with its distinct personality. As I observed their quirky behaviors and amusing interactions, I pondered the true essence of chicken communication. Do they cluck contentedly or crow with conviction? My conclusion? A little bit of both! And yes, a hen can learn to crow (maybe not as good as a rooster), but if your coop doesn't have a rooster like mine, a dominant hen will take over the role of protector. One particular hen in my flock is great at keeping the others in line. She's good at kicking them out of the next when she's ready to lay an egg or coming by to steal the bug or worm another found. She'll also appear to "sit" on a few of the hens in the lower level of the pecking order to assert her dominance and show them who's boss! All of this is quit amusing to watch.

Feathered Friends and Fowl Funnies

Raising chickens is not just about collecting eggs or savoring succulent meat; it's an enchanting journey filled with laughter and unexpected joy. From their hilarious dust-bathing rituals to the melodious cacophony of morning the morning egg song, every moment with my feathered companions is a delightful surprise. The morning egg song does get loud sometimes and it will definitely give away your "Covert Coop"! A few neighbors in the neighborhood behind me have chickens so I tend to think that my chickens' egg song is associated with their chickens so maybe my neighbors don't quite know for sure if I have chickens or not - just my immediate ones to the right and left of me (I pay them in eggs so they keep my secret - Ha!)

A Peek Into the Coop

With a dash of humor and a sprinkle of patience, anyone can master the art of chicken keeping. If you're considering starting your own backyard flock, here are some egg-cellent tips to get you clucking:

• "How to Raise Chickens": Embrace your inner farmer and learn the basics of chicken care. Research everything BEFORE you get your first bird! Join Reddit Groups like r/backyardchickens and follow other chicken keepers on Instagram. You'll learn a ton from just interacting with other keepers!

• "Backyard Chicken Coop: " Create a cozy retreat for your hens with a stylish and secure coop. Again, I can't stress this enough but RESEARCH is your friend! Also, if you go with a pre-fabricated coop like what you find at Tractor Supply, do not follow the recommended amount of birds it can house that's shown on the box. It is way overstated! Go with half - if it says 12 birds, go with 6. Trust me!

• "How Much Does it Cost to Raise Chickens": Budget wisely to ensure your feathered friends live a comfortable life. That first egg is a costly one! The coop, bedding, feeders, light (for chicks), food, grit, oyster shells, etc. It all adds up!

• "How to Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat": Explore the dual-purpose potential of raising chickens for both eggs and meat. I prefer raising mine for eggs only but you may want to explore raising for meat as well. Mine are pets with benefits (eggs and great compost soil for my garden) so culling mine is off the table!

The Fowl Conclusion

As the sun sets on another day at The Covert Coop, my heart is full of gratitude for the laughter and love my chickens bring into my life. Whether they cluck or crow, one thing is for certain – the adventure of raising chickens is a tale worth telling.