The Scoop on the Poop
As I was driving the backroads to get home, a pickup was in front of me. At first, I c
ouldn’t tell what the truck driver had strapped in the truck bed, but as I got closer, I saw a brand new chicken coop strapped down. I love chicken coops!
Chicken coops are another symbol of Spring and rebirth. Most people get chickens, and therefore coops, to have fresh eggs daily. For many years, we had—or Daniel had (he bought and cared for them)—around 38 laying hens. We got a lot of eggs. Every Sunday, he toted cartons of eggs to church for his eager customers. In return, he got a few dollars and empty egg cartons. It was a decent way to bring in some extra cash for him.
Fresh egg yolks are such a rich yellow, especially from free-range hens. During those days, I baked many desserts, including pound cakes. Oh my goodness, how delicious those pound cakes were when made with these fresh eggs.
The Joy of Gathering Eggs
Gathering eggs was a late afternoon ritual. I got excited whenever I opened the hatch to the laying box to find the eggs. Pure joy and delight came to me the moment I laid my hand on a warm egg. Daniel had a mixture of hens, including the Araucana, which lays beautiful pale bluish-green eggs. They are the perfect eggs to decorate for Easter. All but one hen used the nesting box. That chicken liked to lay her eggs outside the coop, but we usually could find them.
Watching chickens roam around the yard is very entertaining, and hearing them clucking away is very entertaining. They always remind me of my five aunts when they gathered together for a joint quilting project and chattered and chuckled, much like the hens. I adored these women: Catherine or Kitty, Connie, Gladys, Lois, and Martha. One day, I’ll tell you a great story about Aunt Martha. I had the privilege of spending much time with them when they were all retired and enjoying grandchildren.
Southern Comfort and Family Memories
Talking about desserts, well, food in general, these women could cook! All the Southern foods I loved—fried chicken, potato salad, corn bread and corn sticks, biscuits, green beans cooked as nobody else cooks them, fried corn and okra (be still my heart!) My mouth is watering.
After these delicious dinners, everyone hung around chewing the fat, men smoking cigars, children running and squealing in the yard. Some aunts picked up their knitting or crocheting and enjoyed a satisfying conversation. I pulled up a spot on the floor and listened with eager ears to the stories of days gone past.
The Scoop on the Poop
Now, to the choice of today’s title: The Scoop on the Poop. Another massive benefit of having chickens is the poop or manure. It makes a fabulous fertilizer. Its phosphorus and nitrogen content is higher than other farm animal manures, including cow manure. We used it for our vegetables, my roses, and other flowers. I wish I still had a picture of what that chicken manure did to my pink impatiens. They grew about three feet high and wide. I’ve never accomplished that again once I moved away from Georgia.
Nowadays, people are getting a couple of chickens and enough eggs for one or two people. Start small if you’re not sure. But don’t be surprised if you fall in love with hens, their antics, and their eggs.
Ready to Start Your Own Coop?
Head over to Louis Page, check out our chicken or hexagonal wire, and start planning your chicken coop today. We also sell the top netting to keep the hawks from swooping in. Or call Terry at 978-486-3116 for her expert advice!
Warm regards,
Debbie Page
CEO, Louis E. Page Inc—Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (No doubt about it! That is more than 131 years owned and run by our family)
