Fall is in full swing in Northern Ontario. It’s a great time for the family to head up to the cottage for a relaxing weekend and enjoy the colors of the changing leaves, cool crisp nights by the wood stove and some hearty comfort foods. So off we went, beloved wife, dutiful son, non-egg eating daughter, protector dog and……..of course,…….the chickens. If you are new to following City boy Hens, you may not be aware that we take the chickens to the cottage. There’s no better way to get the freshest of eggs for a Sunday morning brunch! Besides…….they too, according to my daughter, have become part of our family!
For the most part, the hens are no trouble to take to the cottage. They travel well in their homemade crate and generally rest during the 3 hour trip……….that is until…………….last weekend.
That weekend started out like every other weekend at the cottage. The trip up North was uneventful and the hens spent their weekend roaming around the cottage property or down by the beach.
Heading Down To The Beach.
When it was time to pack up on Sunday, I found Swiffer my herself behind the chicken ark in the run. Generally, the 3 hens are inseparable, but I didn’t give this too much thought as I picked her up and put her in the crate with Honda and Rosie. After “buckling” them in, we headed South for the return trip home.
The drive was going along smoothly as beloved wife and myself shared some casual conversation until I heard a piercing scream from endearing daughter!
“Oh my God………..Swiffer laid an egg!……….AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH…………It’s splattred everywhere. Holy $#!*…..Some of it got on my leg……….Oh my God……..they’re eating it! Oh….this is sooooooo gross!” Mom………I’m gonna’ puke!!!!!!!! Dad…pull over RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!…….
It turns out that Swiffer had, once again, managed to create pandemonium by just…… being Swiffer! I guess it’s really not her fault. It looks like she too is going to be following Honda’s lead and begin molting shortly. As I learnt a few weeks ago, soft-shelled and crinkled eggs are generally a good sign that a hen will begin molting.
“Alright Swiffer, I just gotta’ know……….why’d you have to lay that “softie” in the van? Couldn’t you have laid it in the coop like you do every morning?…………. Come on Swiffer…..ANSWER ME!……………Ok……don’t want to talk???????………..Hey Swiffer…….., look over to your right. See that truck beside us? Take a look at what’s in the back! Yes, you are right…those are chickens, but they aren’t coming back home from the cottage like you. They’re goin’ to visit the bad man called The Butcher!”
On second thought, maybe I was a bit too hard on poor Miss Swiffer. Maybe I scared her a bit too much because this soft-shelled, crinkled Ping-Pong ball was what she left me the following morning. “Ok Swiffer……I was just jokin’. There really isn’t a bad man called The Butcher!………..Well…….there really isn’t one………… at least RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
City Boy Hens 
Haha! Keep ’em on their toes, Swiffer! Pay no attention to City Boy – I’m thinking The Butcher will not be coming round anytime soon 🙂
Hey Swifer…don’t be listenin’ to that CHICKEN MAMA!
Nice to hear from you again Joan!
You always make me smile.
Regards,
CB
Poor Swiffer, she couldn’t help it! Her timing was just a bit off! Hahaha. You always make me laugh with your great chicken stories! Thank you
Wow! Your chicken have a cushy life!!! I love it! Who knew chickens like the beach!
Lol! Aren’t you glad she’s not a goat?
Hi Carla…on second thought….some curried goat might taste goooooood!
Regards,
CB
Y’know, it kinda DOES, right now! 🙂
Ha Ha!
Regards,
CB
Oh, what a trip! And I’m betting the Butcher isn’t going to come to visit any time soon.
Heidi’s Wanderings
Never a dull moment when Swiffer is around! Don’t be surprised if she posts a sign “No butchers allowed”. Still can’t get over that you have a no egg eating daughter. lol! Actually, my youngest wouldn’t eat eggs either. She’s 25 now and her tastes have matured. She now eats eggs. There’s still hope! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
HI Jan,
As my daughter says…”Do you know where that comes out of??????????????????????????” Case closed!
Thanks for your comments.
Regards,
CB
Funny story! Thanks for sharing on Backyard Farming Connection!
You do know of course that soft eggs are usually a sign that your chickens need calcium usually in the form of oyster shell, right?
Hi Sista,
Thanks for your comments. My hens do have calcium in their layer feed and have the opportunity to ingest calcium “free choice” in a separate container. With that said, it is not uncommon for laying hens to sometimes lay soft or thin shelled eggs prior to and during a molt.
Regards,
CB
Hehe. We’re not laying eggs yet.
Just turned about 21 weeks last weekend and now we’re headed into the winter so I’m thinking we may be waiting until spring. Oh. Well. Thanks for sharing this at the HomeAcre Hop. Always enjoy your posts.
Lol….great story!!!! I have chickens also and a crazy one named Lucy that will not sleep in the coop. She sleeps on the front porch with the dogs….:) Keep the stories coming….love them!!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your comments. I will do my best!
Regards,
CB
Always love hearing about your travels with your chickens!
HI Nancy,
Thanks for the compliment.
Regards,
CB
Had to check out your blog just because of the name of this post! I will be back!
HI Terri,
Thanks for dropping by. Hope you’ll stop by again.
Regards,
CB