When I decided to get hatching eggs, I knew the odds were against A. a full hatch, and B. all hens.

As it turned out, we went 50% on the hatch: six out of twelve eggs hatched, and a little better than that on the male/female ratio: 4 hens, 2 cockerels.

I gave away the two roosters to a local community farm.  I was very happy with the situation.

So now we have three hens and one rooster.

How did I end up with three hens and a rooster when I gave away two roosters? You may well ask.

I goofed.  I gave away a hen and a rooster, and kept a rooster, thinking (s)he was a hen.  D’oh.  Smooth move, Daisy.

He’s such a beauty, our rooster.  And such a noble crow.  It’s like music.

I’m not serious about that last remark.  It’s NOT ready for prime time yet, more of a cockadoodle don’t at this stage.  My neighbor told me she heard him the other day and just about fell over laughing.

He is so handsome, though, and gets purtier every day, with a very fashion-forward fur-like cascade of black and white neck feathers, gorgeous iridescent green sickle feathers and beautiful silver-laced feathers adorning his breast.  I wish I could keep him.  So far, it’s okay having a roo around.  I’m not going to be very comfortable about early morning full-on crowing, though.

So, we have a rooster.  We. Have. A. Rooster.  If you need advice on sexing your chicks, or your pullets even,  you’ve come to the wrong place.

On a related note, if you are in the Memphis area and you have a place in your homestead for a great rooster, send me an email at littlehousemail@gmail.com.