Ever hear of the story of which came first, the chicken or the honey bee? Sit down for a spell, have a cup of tea and let me tell you.

I can remember many years ago basically begging Andrew to let me acquire and care for, either chickens or honey bees. I strategically made arguments for each overflowing with facts such as either could easily live healthy and happy on a third of an acre. Also both are incredibly beneficial to the environment and would give us delicious rewards in return. After months of of listening to me blurt out random facts like how honey on a grocery store shelf was probably 1:4 corn syrup, and every time we bought eggs, even organic free range, they could already be up to three months old, he bended (he really always does, and I am so lucky to have someone that supports my sometime insane whims.).

Now I know what you’re thinking, bees bees bees! Actually when it was decided, we had chickens first! Chickens won out because at the time, Andrew was still a bit hesitant about having honeybees in the backyard (something about neighbor kids, stingers, the dogs and so forth). Now, whatever reservations about either are gone. I was perfectly content with cute fluffy chickens, and we eat quite a lot of eggs.

So while Andrew and my father in law Drew (if only everyone were lucky enough to have a Drew but more on that another day) started to construct what would later be christened Cluckingham Palace, off I went to a livestock auction with my good friend Rachel. Although my father bred cattle for market, I was raised such and truly believe that all animals deserve good homes. It is our utmost responsibility to treat them humanely, provide what they cannot obtain, maintain their health and respect their life for they add such value to ours. Just like kittens and puppies, chicks will always be bought first; however, a two year old hen still has good years left and is already laying. I knew what I was looking for but was doubtful that they would have the heritage breed English Speckled Sussex. This breed is known for being a dual bred, above average layers, easy keepers and having a good disposition. Basically the chicken lottery in my humble and novice opinion.

Low and behold I came home with not two, but four speckled Sussex hens. We named them, loved them and cared for them. They made themselves right at home selecting the perfect area for their daily dust baths. I am here to tell you friends, chickens have so much give and are quite unique. They would fly through the yard when Andrew came out, knowing he had some kitchen scrapes or treats for them. All four girls started laying within three days and continued to lay everyday even through winter and the snow we actually got that year. We let them out of the coop when we were home and around they ventured, never leaving the yard and only seeking to destroy a few flower beds. The tradeoff was much in our favor for the eggs they laid went to us, neighbors, our extended family and friends. If you have never had a fresh egg, I strongly advise finding at least a friend with chickens.

It’s been a couple years since we had chickens, but I foresee speckled fluffy feathers in the yard again soon. I wish every neighbor would put a small coop in the yard and get a couple hens. They are such a wonderful asset to the yard, providing pest control, fertilizer and if left to free range, or rotated in a chicken tractor you have the most lush yard imaginable. Plus they are FULL of personality…

Stay turned for the next chapter, and my personal favorite…the epic, indispensable and incredible apis mellifera. Also

known as the European honey bee.