Chicken Sex

So a common question I get from friends is if I need a rooster to get eggs. No, you do not need a rooster to get eggs. If there is no rooster you will just get unfertilized eggs. Then someone asked me the the other day how are the eggs fertilized- inside the chicken (aka Chicken Sex) or once they are layed? I was not sure the answer of this so of course I had to find out.  So turns out chickens have sex.. fairly awkwardly but it happens. Here is a demonstration on youtube:

And then there were Three

Seems we have a "problem cat" who is hunting my flock. On the positive side, there is now only one chickie of each color making identification easy. Rest in Peace yellow chickie #2. I am hoping the three we have left are hens or we will have to start again with a new batch (or spend $20 0n a full sized hen). Now what to tell the kids about the mysterious reduction in chickens? I am thinking that three decided to go on a trip somewhere fun. Wonder if they will buy that. Thus is life on the farm. You have to be tough.

Day 24- And then there were Four

Sadly we have lost two chicks. Yesterday morning we noticed there were only five chicks. My theory is that early that morning one of them got out of their cage (they are able to get through the wire while they are small, but cats can't get in) and was captured/ eaten by a neighborhood cat. It was the brown chick that I think was a rooster anyway. Then later that afternoon while we were around the house and the chicks were freeranging around the yard we noticed there was another one missing. This cat must have thought he has found some easy chicken dinners. We will need to keep a closer eye on these guys now. Rest in Peace, yellow chickie #3 and brown chick #2. Other than "Coo Coo" who is easily identifiable, we have not officially named any of the others. Now that there is only one brown one, she will be named Henrietta.

Just hangin' with the chicks