In which I want poultry
No, REALLY. I am dying for some chickens. So far I've been outvoted--the family stands at 3-2 in favor of NOT having chickens, and until I can sway the other bloc, I'm afraid I shall remain chickenless. Now, let me be clear, I like the IDEA of chickens. The reality might be another thing entirely, and when it was brought to my attention that I travel a bit too much and would have to hire a chicken-sitter, I decided to retreat and do some strategic thinking about my poultry ambitions. All I want is a few little hens for eggs and general cluckery. My husband, who has far more experience with chickens than I, has explained that they are not cute and nice and funny, but rather are dirty, stupid, and a little mean. (I think the fact that he had a few hundred at one time has colored his observations. He still maintains that chicken manure is an appalling smell and until I can find chickens that excrete flower essences, he's not on board.)
Anyway, as part of my strategic planning, I ordered a catalog from Murray McMurray Hatchery, one of the premier hatcheries in the country. (For me this is akin to armchair travel. I may never actually GO to Bali, but I can read about it and that's the next best thing.) I figured I would flip through the catalog and my poultry-longings would be assuaged.
UNTIL I FOUND THE PEACOCKS. That's right--Murray McMurray sells PEACOCKS. For $28 and some change, I could own my very own peacock. Forget the chickens. I'm on to plan B...
As inspiration, I offer you the photo of a Castle Howard peacock, a very noble and quizzical fellow.
Comments
This is the Trout Towers post
This is the Trout Towers post for you! http://trouttowers.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-manor-born.html
Oh my gosh, peacocks. I've
Oh my gosh, peacocks. I've been jaded by their very presence. I worked at a horseback riding camp for a summer... and for four months straight, I had to hear the "EEE-LHP EE-LHP EE-LHP" screech every morning and afternoon. I can never look at them the same again. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, but so so annoying. Sigh.-- Chelsea :)
I'm just imagining the
I'm just imagining the showdown between the dogs and the peacock.
Aww, I love peacocks! They're
Aww, I love peacocks! They're pretty and I love their feathers! Though, they can be pretty mean and peck at you. My parents had taken me to a rock farm and these people who owned the farm, had chickens, peacocks and kittens. The peacocks kept eating my uncle's sunflower seeds, it was quite hilarious.
We live in a rural area and
We live in a rural area and some of our neighbors have peacocks. We can hear them screech. A lot. Very shocking sound if you don't know what it is.Also, we have had chickens before and, in fact, Husband and I are involved in this very same discussion, only our positions are reversed. Part of the problem is that he is a firm believer in free range chickens and wants to let them roam free. I'm more along the lines of your husband's thinking; when they learn to excrete flower essences, I'll come on board. I hatehatehate having chicken plops scattered throughout the yard. However, if you only have a few, and keep them in a lovely little chicken coop, preferably in a place downwind from the house, they can be wonderful, their gentle clucking is soothing and the eggs unlike anything you can find in the store.
Peacocks?!?!? I want one! Are
Peacocks?!?!? I want one! Are you going to get that? Maybe your husband will be more happy to get one of those? Or two...or three?--Roshni
I prefer fish myself.
I prefer fish myself. Beautiful, colorful and - best of all - quiet. :-)
Oh no! My husband took me to
Oh no! My husband took me to a peacock farm in Zimbabwe and they screech like banshees (well, what I imagine banshee would screech like, anyway). If you don't mind the shrieking though, they're quite pretty...
I have always wanted a
I have always wanted a peacock! That would be so glamourous.
How very Flannery O'Connor of
How very Flannery O'Connor of you.
There is a blog I read called
There is a blog I read called Trout Towers, they keep several chickens and seem very happy. Just search "Trout Towers" and you will find her. I think you would enjoy her blog anyway- you share a similar trait of finding the glamor in everyday.
It is such a shame you
It is such a shame you weren't in Austin earlier this year for the Funky Chicken Coop Tour! It was rather fantastic seeing the highlights on the news (that's Austin for you). The site has some links you might find of interest for your armchair travel. http://fccooptour.blogspot.com/
He is a handsome fellow. You
He is a handsome fellow. You do know that peacocks screech a lot right? As in your neighbors will hear him. Still, do peacock feathers make good quills? {G}
Okay, I had a pet chicken
Okay, I had a pet chicken once. Don't ask. It's a long story. For lack of elegant phrasing, they poop a lot. However, mine was not mean at all. It did not start off as a pet; it was a rescue. Yes, a rescue chicken. (I couldn't make this up if I tried.) She would let me carry her around, ate out of my hand. It was like my very own Disney movie. Peacocks aren't as friendly. Pretty, yes. I wonder if it'd be different, if you raised them from a young age. My old neighbor had one, and it just roamed around.
Murray McMurray? Fabulous
Murray McMurray? Fabulous name. Am trying to convince my father to keep bees in the back garden, but he is refusing until he gets an orchard (which will apparently include hens. Do they even live in orchards?!)