Ohmystinkinheck

Let me formally introduce you to Her Hen-ness Highness, Grace.

Grace rules the roost. She also rules the coop, the sod mound, the food, and whatever-else-she -wants, because Grace is ALPHA CHICK.

Grace’s place hasn’t come easy. She has a “coat” to indicate the extent of the feather pecking other females in the run have indulged in at her expense. And yet, she has not relinquished her role…ever.

Besides Grace, at this time we have 3 other hens.

We had many more, but over time we’ve narrowed our flock down to these four; they’ve been good layers overall, but they’re obviously looking forward to retirement, so we’ll be hatching some new chicks before too long.

But for now, our hens are happy. They are fed and watered daily, they get treats here and there, have a few low hanging branches to shade them on the hot days, three nice laying boxes, a roost for the nights, a solid coop to keep them from rain and other harsher elements, and they’ve plenty of room to move about and scratch to their heart’s content.

As we’ve dug up sod, we’ve tossed it over for them; it is a stark contrast, the vibrant green sod and the dirt that comprises the run. The entire chicken run used to be the same green sod you see outside their fence line.

But what begs a laugh is how the hens have even made a bare patch/ditch on the other side of the fence.

If you have a strange desire to know just how long a hen’s neck can stretch, come measure the distance between our chicken run’s fence line and the green St. Augustine grass just outside of their reach.

Though you and I are smart enough to know the grass is NOT always greener on the other side, these hens would be quick to argue otherwise.

17 Responses to “A is for Alpha Hen”

1. Mr. OMSH

   Oh and don’t forget to brag about Grace’s toughness…

   Remember the time when Bruno (’SOMEBODY’s’) dog got a hold of her at such a young age…and MANGLED her. We’re talking at least a 4″ gash running laterally on her backside. Of course she survived with no medical attention (she is just a chicken you know).

   Gives new meaning to the phrase, ‘tough old bird.’ Ha-ha.

   She has slowed down on laying, but I just don’t think I could part with her..yet.

2. OMSH

   Mr. OMSH - Yes, well…Bruno, MY DOG, was doing his job. A strange bird in the yard? Loose? Of COURSE he was supposed to take her in mouth.

   Hey, remember that Bruno wasn’t the only dog … SOMEBODY ELSE’s dog we will not name, Doc, did the EXACT SAME THING.

   Now who do we see calling the kettle black?

3. Mr. OMSH

   What are you talking about? Doc was brown and Bruno is white…

4. Elizabeth

   She’s beautiful.

5. Shamelessly Sassy

   she’s pretty, and by the way, that is the greenest grass I have ever seen. seriously.

6. Marue

   I think it’s great that you never have to worry about keeping that fenceline clean.

7. OMSH

   Mr. OMSH - You are a goober - and trying to introduce false arguments to keep from facing up to the fact that YOU ARE WRONG.

   Marue - That is a great way to turn it!

   Shamelessly Sassy - Mr. OMSH believes in fertilizer and watering, but I’ll have to admit, even without it, this area of Texas grows green, green grass.

   I love to look at it after a lightning storm - everything is so EXTRA charged!

8. Natalie

   I dunno… Grace looks very *cocky*… if you know what I mean…

9. Amy

   I recently acquired 4 hens (1 mature and 3 youths). I absolutely love them. I have an alpha hen. She goes around clucking, scratching, and reminding everyone of who’s the boss. The funny thing about watching “my girls” is that they remind me of women in so many ways. They are absolutely a hoot.

10. Kate

    I can’t wait to have chickens! They’re so funny. My sister had a pet one as a kid that she named Delphine, and the silly bird sat in her lap like a cat.

11. Angella

    We have chickens, but the phrase “they’ve been good layers overall” cracked me up.

    I know, I KNOW. Get my mind out of the gutter.

12. Jan

    Very exciting to read about your chickens. Our town just approved a new chicken policy that will allow us to keep chickens. We can’t wait!

13. Mrs. Wilson

    I guess in this case the grass IS greener.

    And geez Angella! Get your mind out of the gutter! My messed up head didn’t even go there when she said that!!

    I totally love that second picture.

    At least the chickens pecked a nice straight line!!!

14. Caution

    At first I couldn’t understand why a chicken would work so hard for a piece of grass. Then I began to think of it as ice cream, and it all became clear to me.

15. LisaAnniePants

    And here I thought I had all my freerun chickens sexed. If you didn’t say they had layed eggs I would swear those were all roosters. I hope I am not about to take some of my hens to the butcher. UGG! My “hens” red rubbery things (technical eh?) are not at all that big and not at all that red, more of a pink. Maybe it’s the breed?

16. OMSH

    LisaAnniePants - I’m sorry, but you have me laughing so hard I’m about ready to wet my pants. DO NOT take your hens to the butcher if they are, in fact, HENS. Have you heard a cock-a-doodle-do?

    Bottom line, if your chickens crow, they aren’t hens.

    And yes, roosters usually have bigger combs, but not always.

    There are other ways to tell, I’m sure, but I don’t know them. :)

17. LisaAnniePants

    LOL…Well with 19 chickens it’s hard to tell which ones are crowin’…KWIM? Some of them I am SURE are roosters. Some of them I’m not so sure.
    I’m sure there is a way to tell for certain, but I just don’t want to go searching through tail feathers. :P
    They are about 10 weeks old. Guess I can just give it some more time.
    P.S. Glad I could give you a good laugh.