Barbara Kingsolver has it right. Get some chickens, if you must, but for chrissake have the sense not to name them.
And, even if you can't manage that, you must really, seriously, truly have the sense not to let your kids name them.
From which you may be guessing that "Smudger" and "Kelly", this year's flock additions, are both roosters.
They aren't crowing yet--don't ask me how--but they both have spurs and combs that any young roo could be proud of. It's a matter of time.
The Kid is being fairly stoic, but I can tell he's thinking about it.
"When do we have to eat them?" he clarifies with me about once a week.
"Not until they start crowing," I confirm. And he goes about his life, mostly OK with it, but still concerned.
I'm not saying it's a bad lesson. He does eat chicken, after all, and pig and cow and fish....but seriously of all the years to only get roosters. Darn the luck!