The Chicken Life

I went to an alternative hippy elementary school growing up where the kids called the teachers by their first name, we had no homework, and the kids were in charge of caring for a farm which had ducks, lots of vegetables, bunnies, a goat, and chickens. Lots of chickens. I hated those chickens. They made a mess and it always smelled. Well, guess what we have now...that's right, chickens. Jennifer, Jane, Beatrice, Susan, Rachel, and Vader. I bet you can guess which one I got to name.

They've been living in our backyard for the past three months making a mess however this time I find them oddly therapeutic. As a kid I didn't appreciate their quirky habits and their hilarious behaviors. They're like gossipy old ladies who enjoy making the biggest fuss over the smallest thing. They devour any leftovers we give them including the baskets full of left over squash and zucchini which seemed to be the only vegetable we excel at growing and the only vegetables I find unappealing. The chickens stay close to their coop which has given me greater appreciation for "why did the chicken cross the road" jokes.

We purchased 6 chicks thinking one or two would turn out to be a male which we'd have to get rid of...nope. So we have an excessive number of chickens now which means we will be having an excess number of eggs when they start laying. All I know is that they better be darn good eggs. And don't be surprised when you receive a dozen eggs wrapped with a pretty bow at the closing table with a note saying congratulations on the purchase of your new home. I may even include a home grown squash or zucchini at closing as well.

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