Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Egg Watch 2008


At the prompting of our media-savvy neighbors, this is our official foray into the blogosphere. The matter at hand that incurred the prompting? Our family's attempt at hatching three chicken eggs.

Chicker (Brahm's Rhode Island Red) was unexpectedly taken back home to the Great Coop in the Sky last week by a (brace yourselves) wicked maggot infestation. We noticed she wasn't quite right only too late and rushed - yes, rushed - her to the vet's for an emergency diagnosis/prognosis. He gave her a 50/50 chance of surviving the treatment and so, after a brief family council in which we discussed our options, Brahm decided that we should attempt to save her. Naturally the question of cost came up and the vet replied with no small amount of humor in his voice, "Well, if she makes it through, she will definitely be your golden chicken!" (Can I still be a good mom and have secretly hoped in that moment that she wouldn't? Sigh.)

Well, she didn't. We were on our way out the door to go camping/river rafting with some friends when we noticed she was sick and so that's where we were when we got the news. As fate would have it, one of those friends had packed some farm fresh ("fresh" = "fertilized") eggs in his cooler and, upon hearing of Chicker's passing, kindly donated three of them to the replacement cause! And they just happened to be from a Rhode Island Red: the stars were aligned.

Chicker is resting peacefully behind the raspberry patch and we've completed day one of the twenty-one-day incubation period.

5 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Poor, poor Chicker. I hope you are all dealing well with your loss. I am glad to see you have entered the blogging world.

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

My sympathy is with you all in this time of loss. And may she rest in 8 pieces with a side of mashed potatoes.

I hope Ophelia is dealing well. There's no joy in a "pecking order" if she's the only one pecking.

We anxiously await the birth of the triplets. Just make sure you turn the eggs over easy and not serve them up "over-easy" -

Your hen house will grow by 6 feet...can't wait!
Colleen

Elisa said...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (Anguished cry) CHIIIII-CK-ERRRRRR!
Just watch Ophelia closely. Make sure she isn't reacting to this devastation by entwining herself with flowers and wandering near the river bank. If she presents you with rue, you know a chicken suicide intervention is in order.

BTW, this is Elisa. If I tried to log on as my blogger self, blogger would simply tell me my password is invalid (which it isn't) and give me grief. So I'll log in as anonymous.

BakerBloggers-Matt & Jenny said...

Alas, I am one of those evil meat consuming humans who prefer my chickens dunked in barbecue sauce at Chick-fil-A. I am sorry for poor little Brahm though.
Love the blogging name. Seriously, love it.
Jenny

Betty said...

Hi, I'm just catching up with you thanks to Colleen. My question is...WHY did your friend pack fertilized eggs in his cooler?? Is that what folks in Utah take on rafting trips on a regular basis? Love your blog...you have a great sense of humor...may be catching from those funny folks next door.