Aah Chickens!

Not going to lie.  Up to this point, chickens are my least favorite farm "animal." I find them to be loud, dirty and down right mean (ok, maybe that is the rooster).  I was dreading the day that we would have them enter our farming lives but knew that it was coming soon.  Exhibit A above.  50 sweet sounding, innocent baby chickens resting comfortably in our shed.  My brother-in-law had not planned on getting chickens so soon so his coop was not ready (when you can purchase them for 10 cents each, you jump on the chance to get those little chirping bundles of joy). They need heat and other "amenities" to survive this early stage.  Evidently Burnett Lane had all the amenities a one week old chick needed so they came to stay with us for a few days until Troy was set up and ready to go.

So, they were cute and sweet.  But what was truly sweet was the expression on my children's faces as they saw them and even held them.  I had just about forgotten the true joy one can experience when seeing one of God's creatures up close and personal.

Now, this city girl has never fed chickens.  I eat them and run from them but never fed them.  So, I was very proud of myself because I fed those little peepers.  I filled their water and put feed in the feeder, sometimes twice a day. I made sure that the temperature was right so they weren't too hot or too cold.  I morphed into this mama hen role rather quickly which I found quite shocking (remember, I DON'T like chickens).

So here is what I learned:

• I can do this.
• I actually found some joy and even a sense of purpose in feeding these little jewels. 
• They do poop alot!

and...drum roll please..

Once our home is built, I would like a hen house nearby so that me and the kids can have our own chickens to care for everyday.  Fresh eggs and meat and knowing where they come from is pretty empowering.  For Emily to say to her friends that we just go right out back to get our eggs and not the store would be pretty amazing.  

Oh, but I haven't changed my mind about roosters.  I will NOT be hugging a pet rooster anytime soon.