Rooster lays an egg

Remember this pic? The one where I told Chicken Lady that the brown one on the right looked far more rooster-like than the other supposedly same age, same breed bird on the left?

She assured me they were both hens. I was skeptical.

The other day, only four of the five chickens were in the chicken run area. Where was the fifth? Wait! It’s in the roost! Hang on. That’s the one that looks like a rooster. Is it possible it’s just hanging out up there, needing a break from all those females? (My husband with three daughters could relate.)

Then, as I witnessed it with my own eyes, an egg fell out of this bird’s bum.

That was a new experience.

With no longer any doubt, Chicken Lady is exonerated (for this bird anyway).

I had already taken to calling this particular bird, “Rooster,” so everyone knew which one I meant (the one with the largest comb). Now we just use it ironically.

More recently, another of the brown five started laying. That just leaves three more we’re waiting on.

In case anyone wants the gory details of what laying an egg looks like, or rather, what it looks like immediately after the egg drops out, it’s not like a hole opened. It was more like a flap. I saw pink flesh over which the hen’s feathered behind slowly closed.

I felt very intrusive. But also fascinated. I couldn’t look away.

Now I know, and so do you, roughly what an egg-laying bird’s nether regions look like when not covered in fluff.

You’re welcome.