Name that Chicken Contest

So, you have been reading about our new arrivals lately. When this many new friends come all at once, it is really hard to name them all in a manner that celebrates the joy of each one. As I was trying to tell a few apart this afternoon, I joked to Wyatt that he should post a name that chicken contest on the website. We could offer up a few eggs or some lip gloss or soap or other items to anyone that gave us a name that he wanted to use.

A little while later, Wyatt came in from collecting eggs and checking on everyone before the next storm came in, and he said- the contest is on! I should know better by now than to tell my little cowboy anything. It usualy comes back to haunt me!

For any of you who do not know, we ended up with the first of these chickens in a similar manner. Bailey had been raising goats in 4H for a year when Wyatt ended up on duty at the pumpkin patch petting zoo with me. I said sure, I will help with anything but the chickens. Yup, we were assigned to the chicken area, where children were anxiously grabbing at the little feathered ones, and I had to get into chickens- and holding them- quick!

Wyatt began asking for chickens of his own, but like most Mamas, I figured I could wait him out and he would get past it. As it became a family joke, Wyatt kept on asking. I told him he had to take care of the dogs all year without me havng to remind him to keep the food bowl full. By the time the county fair came around in the spring, he was dragging me up and down he poultry isles while big sister was on barn duty. And he was also helping with the dogs' medications.

As the Clover Club leader, I had asked older youth to show their animal projects to the younger ones. Bailey took the kids into her goat pens. And a wonderful older boy set up a complete display of chickens, and even had handouts prepared! He was putting chickens in the children's hands when Wyatt asked what one was doing. The older boy looked over and said, "Oh, she is laying an egg for you all, let me put her back in her own cage so she can rest a minute." Oh, boy...

So when Wyatt's birthday came around, he brought home Sergeant Winger, followed by Pearl and Diamond, then Demon and Jewel. Two years later, Wyatt has 60 plus chickens, and participates in a weekly farmers market by the Santa Cruz River. He has rescued abandoned chickens, tamed some, and knows the unique personality of each one. These birds have helped him come out of his shy shell, participating in 4H and open shows with big sister Bailey. And though he doesn't like to admit it, he likes that he gets to learn with her. Then they can work together.

Boy, that was a long digression. Back to the contest! With all of these new animals, Wyatt is having a tough time giving each one a name worthy of the new friend. So we are reaching out to those of our friends who are creative and enthusiastic in this realm. Send us names!

You may propose as many names as you like. Send them in an email to info@ourpatriotsdream.com , along with your name, age if under 18, where you live, and how we can reach you with your prize! For those of you who are not local residents, we are sorry, but we cannot ship eggs as your prize. Good thing we make so many yummy jewelry and bath items!

Watch on the poultry page of the Patriot's Dream website for winning submisions, or here. Wyatt will select 2-4 names weekly, and will select the remaining ones by March 31st, so we can have all of the winners posted by April 1st! Find a link to the site on the right column of this blog. More reminders and details about the contest are available on the home page. Or feel free to send us questions!

By the way, feel free to use the response section of this blog to share your name ideas with one another. We will soon have the best named flock in Tucson!!! Happy naming!