Our hens consist of a mixture of Americanas, Welsummers, Sex Links, a couple of black silkies, Buff Orpingtons, Barred Rocks and an assortment of others too numerous to mention. They spend their days cleaning their nests, making dust baths, scrounging for grubs and assorted goodies and watching out for the many eagles, hawks, crows, ravens and owls that spend their time circling the property hoping for an easy meal. Because of this our hens are alert, active and healthy.
If one doesn’t know, chickens are an extremely clean, organized, regimented and proud bird. For these reasons every day a loud clucking can be heard announcing the latest beautiful and spectacular egg. This announcement can go on for up to 15 minutes or until one hen is outdone by another. “Fancy”, one of our Gold-Laced Wyandottes, announces, in a voice that can be heard in the next county, of her accomplishments. You would think she was laying something from a Dr. Seuss book instead of a rather plain brown egg (don't worry, we never tell her how average it really is).
The Story of Beta, Our First Love
We started our adventure in poultry keeping with 6 ducks and 4 chickens.
Lest we became too attached to these feathery friends we felt the best thing was not to personalize them with names. This started out well enough until it became necessary to identify them. We then decided that Alpha, Beta, Delta and Echo seemed appropriate for our four chickens that we had no intention of becoming attached to. So much for “best laid plans”. These ladies were purchased as an experiment to see whether or not they would get along well with the ducks and coexist as a cohesive flock. We became so attached to these funny, curious gals that we now have a flock of 41 assorted chickens. We also have 32 Ducks and 6 Heritage Turkeys. But I digress.
As luck would have it the pecking order happened early on and Alpha (as her name would indicate) became top chicken with the other 3 following her lead. They were a wonderful foursome and were happy and healthy, growing up to be wonderful egg layers, Echo and Delta, the Americanas, laying beautiful tourquiose eggs and Alpha and Beta, the Sex-Links, laying huge light brown eggs. Our original flock was purchased in Salem, Oregon before moving to Quincy, Washington. They spent a few days in the garage and backyard of a suburban house on a cul-de-sac before loading into the back of our truck and Stock Trailer, keeping the furniture company, for the five hour trip to Central Washington. Everyone made it safe and sound and were soon making themselves at home. The ducks immediately finding water to muddy up. The chickens cleaning and organizing the enclosure up to their stringent standards. Before we became aware of some of the dangers of their new home Alpha was killed by an errant neighbor dog. While mourning the first loss to our flock we wondered how the surviving three would handle Alpha’s death and who would take over as the lead hen. We didn’t have to wait long.
“BETA”
Beta took over as if she were born to it. She not only took care of Delta and Echo, but as spring fever hit us and we saw the irresistible fuzzy faces at the feed stores she was quickly given more charges which she handled with equal aplomb. She taught these orphans where to find food and water, how to look and hide from predators and when to come out and explore without danger. Always the first to greet visitors and show them her lovely flock and home. She was now in charge of the entire flock which had grown to include 14 chickens, 16 ducks, and 12 turkeys. When we opened the gate for free foraging in our acre plus “yard” she was always the first one to venture out before telling the rest that all was safe and they could then follow.
Although very busy taking car of her flock, she still found time and energy to bless us with a beautiful brown egg each and every day of her productive life. Although we have always loved our dogs, cats, and horses who would have thought a chicken would find her way into our hearts so deeply.
On a lovely spring day as the flock foraged around the yard Beta spotted the infamous neighbor dog break into the property. She was the first to take him on, not much of a match for a Sheppard/Rottweiler mix, but was able to distract him long enough for all but two ducks to escape back into their enclosure and alert the farm to the carnage. Beta’s life was cut short doing what she did best, taking care of her flock. Beta you are greatly missed.
“Beta”
2009~2010
356 days, 339 eggs
