Hawwwwwwwk! My wife and I have been thinking seriously about raising chickens.

I've been thinking about it for years; even when my son was very small he wanted them but we were just never sure about it. What if we moved? Invite all our friends over for a BBQ? What about the dogs? We live in the woods-ish area and there are numerous predators lurking about. Will we get some just to end up feeding the local wildlife?

But, this year we've given it a third or fourth look and have decided we could probably swing it. I wonder what Kurt will do if we have him come watch the dogs (and now chickens) for us? Will he say that's it and I'll be doomed to never having a vacation again?

Anyway, like most of you we first bought some books. Looked over what the Internet had to say. Snooped a bit on our chicken-raising neighbors (we have a lot of them) and asked our parents what they think. We knew Deniese's parents would be all for it, having raised them (and other livestock) but surprise, surprise, both of my parents had them as kids! I never knew that! My parents thought "I'd flown the coop" but they usually tell me anything I do is crazy so I've gotten to where I keep the advice and toss out the comments. I think they are reserving the final comment to see if I end up with egg on my face.

Reading a book about it is what is making me laugh this week. I am overloaded with chicken lore online, so I thought sitting down and reading through a well organized and fact-full book, with a twist of humor in it, would be just the thing. Well, I find myself running to my wife and saying "did you know chickens...." about every hour or so. At first she was impressed but now she's like "mmmm that's nice dear" and sort of nods her head. I think she's too excited for words, don't you? <smile!>

One of the things that surprises me is that a rooster for all its swagger and machoism will, indeed, defend the ladies to the death. I thought when someone was called a chicken that meant they were afraid? Apparently not in this case. I am going to have to unlearn what I think I know about the dumb clucks. At least for a while I can say I've got a bunch of cute chicks living at my house. Maybe the next time Deniese has a hen party here she will think about what she said and laugh. She won't laugh at a garden party (when the birds get into her garden and eat everything level to the ground...)

Two things I couldn't help but mention though. One is the way I am relying on the book to help me be successful. I get to read about other people's mistakes, and what they did to correct the problems. Leveraging their good experience is also the way to go - I suppose I could just "wing" it and ignore any wisdom the book might have but that will likely spell catastrophe, don't you think? I could pretend I know better than any old book and then have my goose cooked (because there won't be any chickens left to eat). Does relying on a book like this remind you of anything?

Finally, chickens absolutely rely on us, people. They are so bred by us that they could no longer survive in the wild as they are. It has to do with hundreds of years of tinkering with them to get the biggest, tastiest, most numerous eggs. Chickens need us to feed them and provide every little thing. One day of neglect or carelessness on my part and they could all be dead. The silly things will probably never know what expense, time, energy, and yes affection I will be lavishing on them. Can you imagine being so dependent on someone and never showing any awareness or appreciation? Even when looking at the dumbest bird in creation there is a lesson about the creator that comes home to roost.

Randy