Rooster, Pullet, Hen ...What's That Called?

Vintage Concrete Chicken Statue in Garden

My Mom always does this little game with the children that makes them laugh each time. She touches the forehead and says rooster, then touches the nose and says pullet, and last touches the chin and says hen. Then she point's to the child's nose and says "What's that called?" They know they have to answer "pullet" and then she does just that!

These same little children have given a new name to a very old chicken. We would like to introduce everyone in the Midwest to Rocksie. She used to live in my Grandmother's front yard and before that she lived in my Great Grandma's yard. I've loved her for years so she came on the moving van (along with a whole mess of furniture) to stay with me for a while. I am pretty sure that my Great Grandmother didn't intend on this becoming a family heirloom when she purchased it over 80 years ago. The china, yes, the silver, yes, the mahogany display cabinet, yes ... but a concrete yard ornament?! For some reason I think she's great. Since I can't have a real chicken, Rocksie will just have to do for now.


I decided that she would be happiest and safest in my raised bed garden. Particularly my herb garden. The lavender plant died making a perfect spot for her to stand. There are some other fun rocks in the garden as well. I thought a post on garden decorations would give some of you antique junkies inspiration on ways to use vintage concrete yard figures. The children and I made garden markers this spring by painting rocks we found on a hike in the woods. I could use a few more as we grew some heirloom items this year like the spotted romaine pictured below and didn't have the appropriate markers. I love searching for garden marker ideas. There are many creative ones out there. Please do share! Oh and just so you know, a pullet is a female chicken that is younger that one year old. Rocksie is no pullet.

Raised Herb Garden

Use Painted Rocks as Garden Markers