A few weeks ago, my brother in law got himself and the family some pet chickens to contribute towards the weekend fry-ups. He’s a joiner/cabinet maker by trade so he knocked them up a decent pen with both indoor and outdoor areas. Really put the effort in. All set.

A couple of days later we got a call from him. Well excited he was. His chickens were laying! Although he was at the other end of the phone I could see his face, big grin… he’d be rubbing his hands together. It’s just one of those manly things he likes to do, like shoot rabbits and eat them. I personally put it down to some innate force within the male of the species that makes him want to feel like he’s successfully hunted down his own food. It’s the alpha male, hunter gatherer inside that leaks out from time to time. Bet he had his chest well stuck out and inflated when he carried his egg back to the house that morning. Proper man. Who needs shops? Good old fashioned self sufficiency. Easy peasy, no problem.

A couple days later I was chatting to my sister. Turns out not long after that proud phone call he decided to do the business. Prove what a bit of masculinity achieves. Breakfast all just about ready… last thing in the frying pan is always the egg. Obviously made a big deal of it… making sure everyone knew he was about to make self sufficiency history right there and then with a swift strike to the edge of the pan… clink… the egg was hard boiled. Next door neighbour’s got banter.

Unlucky bro!!