Easter Chickens

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It is spring time, kinda, though you wouldn't know it from the weather. The chickens know it, though. And the annual egg hunt begins. Not the one you think...

First of all, all animals seek to procreate. Aside from daily survival, breeding drives their urges. Chickens are no exception. It is at this time of year that the hens feel a pressing need to lay a nest full of eggs and go broody. Knowing somewhere in their primitive brain area that eggs and chicks are delicacies to many others, they look for the most secret secluded place available. They also know, I am convinced, that if the eggs are laid in an obvious place, the big blonde with the feed bucket will take them away.

Usually my husband or I will find the stash place. Occasionally, though, a hen will start to fluff out her feathers, become solitary and grumble constantly. It is then that we begin the hunt in earnest, because I don't want chicks right now, and because they would be mixed chicks, and I want to dictate the lineage. Almost always, we find the eggs, clear the nest, and the hen snaps out of her broody stupor.

And it really is a stupor. She acts as if she is under some kind of spell or some neuroses. The hen will walk slowly, haltingly, grumbling to herself, staring around as if she has never been there before, acting like a crazy bag lady. She screeches warnings at others who come near and runs away if approached. Sweet pet one day, paranoid schizophrenic the next.

I wonder if this spring ritual is the real beginning of the Easter egg hunt. Folks started letting the kids find the nests, like some sort of game. Had the kids bring the eggs back to exchange them for goodies. Saved the grownups lots of time and stooping. The kids wouldn't have missed a 'tradition' they had never heard about...

You know, I wish I had thought of that when my kids were little. Think about it; no buying eggs, coloring them (and the entire kitchen and everyone's hands), secretly hiding them, penning up the dog and the chickens so the colored eggs didn't get eaten before the hunt. Just: hey kids! Go look for hidden eggs. Bring them back and trade them for candy and toys! Labor saving, efficient, practical.

Win/win...