The Coronation of the New King 👑

For the past 15 years or so, we have kept chickens on our farm, here at Beyond Mountains Homestead. We have had well over a dozen and down to as little as two or three laying hens. At the present time we have well over 30 chickens and roosters. We also have six Indian runner ducks. The ducks will be moved to a separate location in the very near future.

We pen our chickens. Over this past winter we were down to just two laying hens that are nearing three years old and three roosters. One rooster is a small banty and lives in with our mini pigs where he is quite happy. We also have our big white ninja security guard rooster who continually circles the pen making sure everything is to his satisfaction. Then we had the king, a beautiful banty rooster who ruled over all of the girls in the pen.

Yesterday, midmorning, we had quite a downpour and as I looked out the window I noticed the king standing in the rain. I didn't think much of this as he's a tough old bird. He survived the last year through harsh winters, driving rainstorms and constant scrapping through the fence with ninja security rooster. Sometime back during one of these altercations security ninja rooster must've gotten the better of the king and blinded him in one eye. The king never missed a step, kept his girls in line and order in the pen.

I was quite sad yesterday afternoon when I found the king dead in the pen. I think he contracted a cold and due to his age, probably four or five years old, succumbed to his illness.

We bid fond farewell to the king, and welcome the new ruler of the roost. The big white rooster who kept guard on the outside of the pen has now ascended to the throne.

The natural progression of life on the homestead continues.

Our new flock of various breeds of laying hens have just reached five months of age and have already started laying, albeit tiny eggs. But we know from years of experience that as they begin to mature they will provide our family with a wonderful bounty of gorgeous and delicious homegrown eggs.

Here are some photos of the former and the new king and the flock.

All hail the new king !!

The old king laying in the state. Rest in peace my old friend.

One of our old ladies, getting on three years old and still producing.

The other old lady who is even more productive and spends as much time showing the new girls how it's done.

A few of the new girls.

The egg in the center is from our old Rhode Island red hen. The other two eggs are from our five month old Barred Rock hen. The size difference is amazing.

A parting shot of our newly crowned king. May he prove to be a fair and just ruler.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have enjoyed this blog. Have a great day and Steem On !!!!

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