Progressions of Yard Birds

Spring 2009 - I get an incubator and 40 fertile eggs.

They sit on my kitchen table and I turn them twice a day for 21 days.

One morning the eggs start to chirp, and soon the little balls of fuzz enter the cruel, cruel world.


I end up with about 20 or so. They live the next few weeks in the brooder I set up in the kitchen.


They really are cute little things. I try very hard not to get sentimental about them.

It's hard.



Once the weather is warmer and they start feathering out, I set up a play pen in the yard for them, and they stay out in the afternoons.


Along the way I lost a few, as will happen with fowl. I end up with 5 hens, and 9 roos. I let them be free range; and they get all over everything.


Once they reached a good weight, the day arrives. This day looms darkly on most roo's horizon.

Kevin makes ready to do the deed.


I won't show the grodiest details; let's just say ......



and



and



A few days later, I roasted one with herbs and root veggies....



And behold, it was very good.