Still life with Elvis

4 new ameraucanas.

Left to Right: B (aka Latoya a Silver Laced Polish), Wenis (Rhode Island Red) and Cocania (Columbian Wyandotte)

My enire world was flipped up side down the other day. Amber, bantam black silkie, the sweetest chicken of them all is actually a rooster. I should have seen it coming- the growing comb, the iridescent tail feathers… But how could such a sweet, sweet hen, be not a hen at all? Simple answer: gender change. Let’s face it- many humans go through gender complications (for lack of a better word) such as a woman always feeling like she is acually a man or vice versa. What about hermaphrodites, huh? What about Amber?

Elvis, my only other bantam (Mille Fleur) is a rooster and has always been since about 6 weeks old. He’s the same age as Amber and as mean as a snake, but, harmless. The only way to explain this is that it is yet another miracle on Rup Nut Ranch.

She has been an outcast her whole life (about 8 months). She’s always been in the background pecking and scratching away all by herself, with no one to talk to, except me. Well, the tides have changed and through the power of Allah, she is now a he! Amber, officially the nicest rooster in the world.

Not much has been happening with the chickens lately.  They all seem to be quite happy and laying some delicious and beautiful eggs.  I have been building some coops for some people and when they are done I hope to post some pics.  Since the article has come out I have been recieving numerous emails and phone calls from people all over.  They ask me questions about chicken health, coop building, building permitting and all sorts of other things.  All the calls and emails are very appreciated and I hope I can help out.

oh.  One of my silver laced Polish(“B”)  broke her leg.  Now she hops about the garden.  The leg is getting better as she is slowly putting more weight on it each day.  I will post a pic soon.  

pic above: L-R= Hamps, Wenis, Hamps, Cocania, Gertrude, Sweetpea

Pic above foreground: Sweetpea

Pic below:L-R= Jersey, Jimmy

Please join my group on Facebook to keep up to date with all the happenings on the Rup Nut Ranch

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110540178422&ref=nf

Bumper stickers are available for order (email me) and will soon be at the garden and at Readers Books.

They are 3″ x 6″ and say “LIVE THE GOOD LIFE: RAISE CHICKENS”

t shirts coming soon.  Some will be sure to offend, another design- not so much.  Stay tuned

An article by the Press Democrat came out online this morning.  Check it out.  Thanks to the PD!

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090731/LIFESTYLE/907309871/1341?Title=Chicken-maven                                        MARK ARONOFF / PD

only about 6 billion (and counting) more to go.
In this photo: Me holding Amber (aka pigpen, aka Chewbacca- bantam black Silkie) and Kristin Van Fleet. Photo by Johanna Lacoe

Rubys a good pooch. She protects the eggs and the chickens.