Chicken sagas in a self-sustaining world

Easter is almost here, and for me, there’s nothing like thoughts of being with family, fluffy white bunnies, soft yellow chicks, pastel colored Easter eggs, hunts, seeing my girls faces light up when they eye their Easter baskets and the glory of the risen Lord.

And anyone who’s my friend on Facebook knows all weekend I ate up their news feed with silly news of adopting six new baby chicks just in time.

My hubby and I have been contemplating ownership since last year and finally decided to just go for it. With the girls cupping them in their hands so motherly, a rampant tick issue last year (chickens can eat up to 200 ticks per hour), the prices rising every day at the grocery store, and, let me say, with the melancholy “makes me want to just curl up in a ball on the floor music” Big Y in Lee plays I’m apt to over spend the budget – not to mention how sweet they are when hand held and raised – all made for a non-difficult decision.

Okay, yes, there’s the issue of poop, which we’re now “whipping our clothes off” familiar with, but isn’t it supposed to be good luck when a bird does that on you? So we all must be swimming in it – luck, that is – don’t forget to wash.

They’ll be full grown in about six weeks and ready for their coop, and then comes the golden rewards of fresh eggs, which I’ll never forget growing up in Rutland,Vt., as a child.

What a beautiful world for all my firsts, and I still dream of those bright green rolling hills and valleys dotted with redwood barns and moving cattle.

The economy is changing, and it’s amazing the people who are now adopting chickens, goats, llamas and ducks (as they lay eggs too, although, I don’t think I’d eat one) in their own backyards.

Gardens are also plentiful, so why not be self-sustaining and just live off the land?

According to Mother Earth News, “The popularity of chicken ownership is increasing across the country and more families are taking control of what they put on their dinner table  by raising poultry as a fun and educational family activity, or even a small business opportunity in support of the local food movement.”

FYI, we don’t plan on eating ours and are now switching to fish. Yes, we named them and some already fly onto our palms when called – inquisitive little things.

So if you’re interested in taking the plunge into “chickens in your garden” Tractor Supply Co. is putting on “Chick Days” from now until April 22. We purchased ours at Carr Hardware in Lee. Both options will provide you with all you need to raise your sweet yellow fluffs.

Why not think about it? With all the benefits they provide, including fresh eggs and insect control, they make great pets and funny times for the whole family.

Speaking of funny, I have to tell you while showering the night before we got them, my youngest came in the bathroom and said, “Mama, I’m so excited. When we get the chicks, if mine’s a girl, I’m going to name it Peckie, and if it’s a boy, I’m going to name it Pecker [no clue].”

I burst out  laughing and immediately retorted with, “Well, we won’t be getting any boys.”

But what a hoot, right? Kids are so innocent. When I told my husband, he almost fell off his chair.

More later on our chicken chronicles, and stay tuned next week, when we talk spring fashion passion and once again hit the runways of New York, Paris, London and Milan. Oh, it’s about time!

Ciao Bella

Posted by Janel M. Harrison on March 28, 2013. Filed under Columns,Girl-2-Girl,Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry