March 19 marks a very fowl day in American history, poultry day! On this day, we give thanks to the birds which are bred for their meat, eggs, and feathers. There are many different types of poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, and quail.

Did you know?

  • There are seven different types of feathers and categories are based on their structure and location on the bird’s body. These are wing, down, tail, contour, semiplume, bristle, and filoplume.
  • Ben Franklin proposed the turkey as the official U.S. bird, and it is the only poultry breed native to the Western Hemisphere.
  • A hen will turn her egg an average of 50 times a day to keep the yolk from sticking to the side.
  • The most expensive egg in the world was sold for $17.4 million in 2007. This was a Fabergé egg, created by jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé and holds the record for the most expensive timepiece and most expensive Russian object.
  • 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving, 22 million at Christmas, and 19 million on Easter.

Chicken enthusiast and homesteader, Annie Mae shares a story about some of her favorite chickens:

Two of my pets, two members of my chicken family that are amazing hens. Melba and Marie. They are Speckled Sussex laying hens. They the best layers in my flock, but they are some of the sweetest. Melba really got friendly after she became very ill. When a chicken has bright green fecal droppings, it’s a sign that they are close to death. I isolated her and cared for her instead of culling her as the books all advised. Slowly she recovered. Every day I brought her hot food and organic cures for what I thought ailed her and much to my delight she made a full recovery! The greatest joy is how she responded to all my care: she now sees herself as my best buddy in the henhouse coming up to me and flying upon my shoulder. The first time you have a hen honor you with that level of trust is memorable. Her sister, Marie, is slightly less friendly but since I brought Melba, her best friend, back to her, well I must be alright so she now allows me to pick her up without fuss. They are examples of why so many of us keep chickens, great companions who on top of being a source of unlimited entertainment, supply us with eggs!! If you ever decide to keep chickens, you are in for a fantastic adventure.

This poultry day, be sure and check your local Buchheit store for our wide variety of food and supplies for your feathered friends!