The chickens are laying eggs regularly and I don't even notice when the rooster crows anymore. All of my original chickens are still alive. Their names are Lucille, Gumbo (Alma), Bessie, Leila Belle, Roberta, Anna (the Rooster), and Anton (a hen that was supposed to be the Rooster). I never got around to changing names when Anna crowed and Anton laid eggs. They are named after my great-grandmothers, one of my great grandfathers and a few grandmothers that I can't claim.
I am actually very attached to my chickens. I love to feed them grubs out of the compost pile. I can't believe I actually pick up those nasty grey grubs with my fingers until I have a handful and then I give them to my chickens. The chickens also love grapes. They think I am a giant snack machine and wait for me to come feed them in the morning.