Aviary clever bird

one end than the other with contents rich in proteins and essential nutrients, is of course the common egg.

My daily chores can become routine. But when I deliver rotting apples, cabbage leaves, old gravy, piles of peelings, and a scoop of pellets to my industrious chookies one day and then collect lovely perfectly shaped golden-yolked eggs from their nest boxes the next day, it opens my mind to consider simple daily miracles in front of me.

Usually the eggs are sitting in the hay when I gather them but occasionally I open the wooden nest box lid to find a hen sitting there quietly preoccupied in her task.

Little black beady eyes watch me watching her until she suddenly jumps up, hops out on her thin wee legs to see what is for breakfast.

The ultra-fresh gift left behind causes me to marvel again at the amazing creation a humble egg truly is.

A real natural ‘‘possible’’ product with no laboratory involved.

A pack of protein and essential nutrients, the yolk suspended in the white, the shell semipermeable allowing moisture and air to pass through pores, the air cell forming inside as the warm egg cools and contracts, the outer layer protecting quality by keeping out bacteria and dust.

And colours vary with pigments laid down by different poultry breeds – from white, brown and speckled to the unusual green which our little araucana hen lays.

And reproduction is inspiring as well. Our big, proud rooster minds, and mates with, our little hen harem.

His sperm last for 10 to 14