This could apply to the edible pulse–which is a little wonder too: but here it’s a reference to our bantam cockerel, who goes by that name.
Chickpea arrived with two companions about eight months ago.
For a while we laboured under the illusion that all three were miniature poules [hens].
This is what Meredith had sought out at the chicken fair [foire aux poussins] in a nearby commune of Couffouleux last May and had been assured by the sellers, that the three chicks were all dwarf hens.
French neighbours in the know were not convinced–and as the three grew larger, tell-tale plumage started to develop on two of the three.
It seemed those in the know were right!
We began hearing sounds that were only too familiar to us, living as we do in the countryside, surrounded by farms and free-range poultry!
OH NO! Please–we don’t want a cockerels, we asked for HENS. We like quiet in the mornings; we don’t want to be woken betimes with full throated COCK-A-DOODLE-—GOOOODMORNING-TIMETOOPENTHEGATE-IT’SALMOSTLIGHTYOUKNOW–DOOOOS!! PLUS, we’d like the odd egg.
After a couple of months it was plain–two of the three were definitely male and intent on never letting us forget it.
Claude and Mrs Tweedy (Brahmas) are the more conventional looking couple and Chickpea “the odd man out”–being so much smaller (a sabelpoot or booted bantam).
On the whole he seems to believe there’s safety in numbers and that three’s a GOOD crowd.
Though he’s not averse to putting on a one man show and one might say–getting a little above himself:
Claude is a cock of the old order.
He clearly believes things were better in the old days when brahmas held sway and bantams like Chickpea knew their place and didn’t go around trying to make friends with “the keepers”.
That is Chickpea’s instinct. He likes to hob-nob.
He’ll sidle up and circle, mumbling bantam small talk hinting that he would’t object to being picked up.
Naturally a certain animal lover is only too keen to oblige and Chickpea is in heaven.
On Christmas Day, FINALLY Mrs Tweedy started laying an egg a day–so every four days we have omelettes for lunch–small omelettes as the eggs are modest.
(And it turns out those in the know can be wrong–they doubted she’d lay before Easter!)
Together they make a pretty picture and seem to know it.
Here they seem blissfully unaware of tempting fate and giving the keepers ideas!
chicken in a pot!
Robin Ellis 
Your flock is beautiful!
Chickpea is too cute for words! This post has put a big smile on my face.
Awww, they are BEAUTIFUL!! Just keep repeating the mantra: “I cannot cook my friends, I cannot cook my friends…” (even if they wake you up too early for tea in the morning)!
Such a great post; the chickens are beautiful. I guess that you have true country living.
Love your final comment — gave us a good laugh. As a youngster, 50-odd years ago, my brother and I received baby chicks one spring. We loved caring for them – when they got older my folks took them to live at our cousins’ farm since we lived in town. I don’t recall ever seeing them again; my guess is they ended up in a pot.
love your blog and your recipes!!!
What a great story it cheered us all up on a misty damp day in N.W England.Oh Robin you wouldn’t ? you and Meredith are real animal lovers, I think that there are many who would have had them in the pot when they found out what they were, but not you two,and they are quite beautiful birds.What do your cats think of them? -do they give them a wide berth .All your pets seem so happy they know when they have found a good home and people who care for them.
Cats and chicken keep a respectful distance from each other.
Robin, Can you send us a picture of these charming creatures??? Have you given up acting totally and forever? You will always be Capt. Poldark to me. Lyn
Forget your next cookbook….write a children’s story about the adventures of Chickpea.
I laughed at the name of Mrs. Tweedy! Is this an ironic nod to the character in “Chicken Run”? 🙂
Our little ‘Chickpea’ would begin crowing anytime after midnight – sometimes before – we worked out it was car lights that were confusing our feathered friend, waking him up and prompting his enthusiastic crowing. The problem was solved when we selflessly gave him to a friend… Your fellow is a fine-looking fowl, surely such a little bird can’t have too robust lungs?!
Wonderful story and so beautifully written!!!! YAY .. I love it. xoxo Jill
Love your Chickpea! We love our eleven hens that free range in our large backyard. Angel is a white silky who loves a good cuddle and our children are happy to oblige.We average about 8-10 eggs every two days and with five children at home these are eaten as soon as they are produced! We also bought some chicks that were “hens ” but two were roosters and so had to rehome them to a farm due to local council poultry laws . I love your lot and hope they give you many more hours of pleasure and eggs!
Arrrrr ,they are very cute! My dad used to keep bantams in the late 50’s early 60’s……….think thats why I have a soft spot for fowl. Lucky chuckies!!!!
They’re gorgeous snd chick pea the cuddle chicken seems especially sweet. What’s amiss with the odd ‘cockle doodle get up the days wasting doo’ when you have such special guys waiting to greet you in the garden. Sounds utter bliss 🙂
Loved the photos and comments. Out of interest, do you eat meat in your diet? I know you wouldn’t eat your friends! Many Happy returns Robin! Best wishes, Linda
We do, but not often at the moment.
My dad used to keep hens and during the Depression years, he used to sell the eggs. My parents got really close to them–even performed a tracheotomy with a knitting needle on one that was choking on something ,saving her life!
You are so wonderfully inventive creating personae for your farm animals! You are a natural storyteller!
Thanks but I’m working with good material!!
I love the picture of Meredith holding the chickpea. I wish I could have chickens too but we have already got tree lovely rabbits, one guinea pig and a sweet cat. And our cat keeps distance from our rabbits too! Except when I am holding a rabbit to cuddle her, then our cat takes a look and says: mew…
Wonderful!!!!
When I was a child growing up in suburban Houston, TX I found a chicken hiding in front of a bush near my house. He was fully black so I named him “Darth Vader.” I reckon he was a “she” because it never did crow the whole time I owned him. Darth ended up being a dear companion and I would hold and cuddle him much as the gal (your wife?) on the blog post does. Ever since then I’ve had an affinity for chickens. Thanks for the post on your good buddy, Chickpea. It was a fun read.
PS I hunted your blog down as my mom sent me Poldark for Christmas and my hubby and I watch an episode each night. What great fun you’ve had in your life you lucky man! Best wishes to you and your loved ones in 2013. (Oh yeah….just ordered 2 copies of your cookbook, one for me and one for mom.)
Thanks Rachel–great story.
What beautiful birds, Robin. I hope you got some earplugs for your birthday today, to allow a bit longer sleep. Many happy returns! You share your birthday with my late husband. We used to keep hens too, but after one season laying they ended up in the pot. Then we replaced them.
Other than the morning cock-a-doodle alarm clock effect they are very beautiful guys;)
Sorry I’m a little late getting to the computer, but I hope you had an awesome birthday, Robin!! Cheers!!!
I love chickens, and yours are lovely. I subscribe to a poultry magazine and everything but my husband says that nine cats are enough, and although I hate to admit it he is right. Don’t tell him I said that.
Whoops – only two days late but I hope you had a wonderful birthday on Tuesday.
thanks, Susan–I did!
Very Funny Wee Yarn there Robin!, That made me laugh!, ” The Adventures of Chickpea” …..Sounds Enteresting!…Offcourse , And im sure,These guys will never end up in the ” Pot” If Meredith has Anything to do with it! lol Belated Happy Birthday!,My Twin and i, are the big 50 tommorow! We Shall have a wee dram for yee! Regards Maurice Glasgow
Happy Birthday Maurice and to your twin!