I recently had the pleasure of talking with a young fellow who has his own small chicken farm.
Arlo Mauck, age seven of the Bear Creek community on upper Tallulah, has been in the “chicken business” since about age four.
Mauck has a number of breeds in his flock of seven hens and three roosters, including Silkie, Easter Egger – which lay green and light-blue eggs – Silver Laced Wyandotte and Speckled Sussex, which lay brown speckled eggs.
Not members of the chicken farm are two dogs and two cats. The dogs – especially “Banjo” – actually help protect the chickens when they are turned out to “free range” in the nearby woods, keeping dogs and other animals scared away. The chickens dutifully return to their shelter on their own at day’s end.
Arlo’s parents Eli and Tess say that when the hens are laying well, they keep relatives and friends supplied with eggs. They even sent me home with a dozen eggs. Some of the chickens came from a chicken
farm in Tennessee, while others came from Wayne’s Feed Store in Murphy.
Since Mauck’s home borders forestland, he spends a lot of time in the woods, rather than sitting on the couch all day texting or playing electronic games; something I was glad to see. Arlo has a hideout on one of the nearby hilltops that he likes to frequent.
Arlo reminded me of my days as a youngster. I too had a home near the forest edge, spent much time in the woods and also had pet chickens.
Marshall McClung is a columnist for The Graham Star.