News

Greetings from the ladies (and gentlemen) of the Springmont flock, comprised of 20 chickens of various breeds, sizes and yes, personalities! The birds range in age from Sheldon the rooster, who is at least 5 years old, to Thing 1, Thing 2 and Nugget who were all hatched by two of our hens last summer.

While some of these birds were rescued, others were raised right here on campus in the Elementary classrooms! In the last two years, each Elementary classroom has had the opportunity to care for chicks from their arrival at three days old until they were about 3 months old. Students were responsible for handling, feeding and keeping the chicks healthy until they were ready to join the existing flock outdoors.  As you might guess from the creativity of the names - Hen Solo, Amelia Egghart, Jane (Goodall), Sally (Ride), Diego (Rivera who was Frieda Kahlo until it became clear she was a he), Batman and Elizabeth (II) - the children also got to name the chickens!

Interestingly, our flock includes two roosters.  This is unusual because typically two roosters are unable to co-exist. However, because of Diego’s mild nature, Sheldon, the imposing Rhode Island Red, is not threatened by his presence.  (Diego, a Polish chicken, is the white rooster with the crazy “hair” and sleepy temperament.) We also have Gold Laced Wyandottes, a Black Star, bantams and several Easter Eggers, favorites with the students because they lay the beautiful blue and pink eggs.

Upper Elementary students are responsible for the care of the chickens. They feed them organic, soy free chicken feed, provide fresh water, and collect the eggs, which they turn over to the Middle School for processing, daily. Middle School students inspect and clean the eggs, putting them up for sale in the Pavilion each Monday.  They can be purchased, first-come, first-served, for $6 per dozen!  And yes, even the blue ones are ok to eat!