So Why Chickens Anyway?

I think the real question is, why not chickens?

It's been a passion for Aaron and I since a few years prior to becoming parents, to learn, digest, discover what it means to be a homesteader. The idea of living off of the things we help cultivate, bring life to, watch through the seasons of seed to fruit to decay... it's all such a beautiful process we as humans see in life all around us.

So we brought ourselves into the chicken world with so many other urban homesteaders out there.

We started our chicken journey with four little ladies (we were at least hopeful they were ladies) and they have since turned out to be. We purchased them from a local farm and feed supply store known as Bomgaars in between Greeley and Loveland. After doing a lot of research, I knew a few breeds that were the most reliable in being kid friendly, smaller in size, social, and also reliable for laying 4-7 eggs/week. We came home with 2 little black and white Silver Laced Wyandottes and 2 golden/brown Americana Easter Eggers.

Here is Amity holding her favorite lady at the time (Ms. Pinkerton).

 

Sadly, the sweet girl I'm holding up to the right didn't make it through the summer. Through a series of unfortunate events after the chickens moved into their new home outdoors, Ms. Dottie here fell prey to our beloved dog Bridget. It was a difficult and emotional conversation with our sweet kids who didn't realize what we meant when we said that Bridget might try and kill one of the chickens, until she did. We had a little funeral for Ms. Dottie and Amity decorated a special rock to remember her by but I'm thankful we have some sweet pictures of her as well.

The most beautiful part of having chickens has been watching our children grow into little caretakers who are so passionate at watching them grow, looking out for their well-being, and the excitement they express for all the milestones the chickens hit as they have grown and aged.

Left to right: Ms. Glenda, Ms. Pinkerton, Ms. Dottie, Ms. Lacey

We know this journey will bring with it joy and heartache, like all great things in life. We are thankful for every day we get to be a family with these lovely ladies and help them have the best chicken lives they can.