• Home
  • About Our Heirlooms
  • About Candace
  • Shop
    • NEW for 2021
    • Heirloom Tomatoes
    • Heirloom Peppers
    • Heirloom Vegetables
    • Herbs
    • Container/Small Space
    • My Favorites!
    • CdA Coop Swag
  • Garden Glossary
  • CdA Coop Blog
    • Gardening
      • Garden Seed Series
    • Backyard Chickens
    • Recipes
  • Contact Us
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

The Coeur d'Alene Coop

Raising Chickens and Urban Gardening

  • Home
  • About Our Heirlooms
  • About Candace
  • Shop
    • NEW for 2021
    • Heirloom Tomatoes
    • Heirloom Peppers
    • Heirloom Vegetables
    • Herbs
    • Container/Small Space
    • My Favorites!
    • CdA Coop Swag
  • Garden Glossary
  • CdA Coop Blog
    • Gardening
      • Garden Seed Series
    • Backyard Chickens
    • Recipes
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Backyard Chickens / Hens and Housekeeping

March 31, 2009 By Candace Godwin 2 Comments

Hens and Housekeeping

Mother Hen. Every flock has one (animal or human) — ours happens to be Helen, a Rhode Island Red; who also happens to be a homebody and an extraordinary housekeeper. She was named in memory of my mother – but not for any of those reasons. As a chick Helen was the bossiest – and it just seemed right that she should bear my mother’s “given name.”

Helen out grew her bossiness when she was no longer the largest of our girls (there’s that pecking order!); and became quite the henhouse keeper. While the other girls are out enjoying a romp in the yard, Helen stays nearby the coop – running in and out of the pen and coop making certain everything remains in order.

She’s nearly obsessed with what goes on in that coop. The other girls can just forget about any privacy while laying an egg. She’s right there with you sister! Checking your progress and happily chiming in with you as you announce your success.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the coop’s egg door to find two hens jammed in the 10 inch by 10 inch nest box. Buttercup neatly tucked in on the inside, and Helen, squeezed in, on the outside. A few minutes later I retrieved two fresh eggs. Now that’s teamwork!

Helen likes things tidy and I often find a single egg in the middle of the coop floor. I suspect that she has rolled this egg out of the nest and away from the others for a reason that only makes sense to a bird brain. Lately it’s been the egg of one of the Barred Rocks. Perhaps this is her way of getting back at the pecking order.

I guess we all have our idiosyncrasies, but she’s a good reliable layer and an excellent housekeeper. My Mom would approve.

Filed Under: Backyard Chickens Tagged With: chicken coops, egg production, raising chickens

Get Garden Tips & More

« Sweet Basil Starts
Bucolic Bliss? »

Comments

  1. Heather says

    April 4, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    I am with Helen, tidiness is highly important. I am from Council, ID and just ordered my very first chickens yesterday. I can’t wait to be a chicken keeper. I will read all your posts for more info.
    Heather

    Reply
  2. Tatyana says

    April 5, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    I don’t have chickens, but I enjoyed your post! Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search Our Plants Here

Shop by Category

Cart

Top rated products

  • Dragon's Egg Cucumber
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $4.00
  • Shishito Pepper Heirloom Shishito Pepper
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $4.00
  • Tomatillos | The Coeur d'Alene Coop Tomatillo
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $4.00
  • Blizzard Snow Pea | The Coeur d Alene Coop Blizzard Snow Pea
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $4.00

Recent Posts from The Coop

  • Pre-Season Garden Planning January 15, 2021
  • Simple and Delicious Heirloom Tomato Tart Recipe August 27, 2020
  • Easy Seed Saving for the Home Gardener June 19, 2020

the coop on facebook!

The Coeur d'Alene Coop

1 day ago

The Coeur d'Alene Coop
A good day indeed! I was finally able to secure Dragon Egg cucumber seeds today. I've been trying to get these since late fall. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to be able to offer them this year. They will be offered in limited quantity, so if you love these as much as I do, don't wait to order them! Super crunchy with a sweet cucumber taste -- no bitterness and no need to peel! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

the coop on instagram!

thecoeurdalenecoop

thecoeurdalenecoop
And so another year begins. First up in 2021...thy And so another year begins. First up in 2021...thyme! Soon to be followed by chives and leeks. 

#thecoeurdalenecoop 
#gardening2021
#organicherbs 
#thymeonmyhands
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Join the Flock!

Sign up to get gardening & chicken keeping tips delivered to your inbox.

Copyright © 2021 The Coeur d'Alene Coop · Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814 · Privacy Policy · Log in
Website Design: Godwin Marketing Communications LLC