Urban farming is making a resurgence and Austin, TX is no exception.  Raising backyard chickens is popular in Austin and has been for quite some time.  A few months ago, my neighbors took the plunge and started raising chickens for the eggs.  We live in a rural area, just outside of Austin, and I’m sure chickens have roamed these acres many times in the past.

The adage of a rooster crowing to start the morning is a complete myth.  Roosters crow all the time!  They crow to establish their turf or to assert dominance.  They even crow when a hen lays an egg.

My husband and I have grown accustomed to the noise and rarely notice it any longer.  Our visitors are generally less prepared for around the clock crowing.  Recently my son, who was visiting from out of town, commented about 10:00 PM, “That is going to drive me crazy!”

I had to smile, remembering the first weeks the rooster moved in next door.  I thought I would never get used to hearing the noise.

I did get used to the noise.  In fact when we drove to pick up breakfast tacos the next morning, at the local doughnut shop, it took a minute to realize I was hearing a rooster crow.  As I waited in the car, a rooster strutted up to the door of the doughnut shop and serenaded everyone with his “Cock a Doodle Doo!”  Continuing his rise and shine revelry, he made his way down the side walk pecking at the concrete.

Even in our community in the great state of Texas, that’s not a normal site.  So now I know why the chicken crossed the road…..  To get to the Doughnut shop!