*
My children have learned a great deal of responsibility as they have gathered eggs and taken the daily table scraps out to the coop. J5 has helped to doctor injured birds and has often begged her father with pleading eyes to “fix it without using a hatchet, please!” We have spent time chasing cats and dogs from the yard in protection of our daily supply of fresh eggs and taken Saturdays to clean out the coop and make life comfortable for our flock.
*
I will personally miss the excuse I had to go outside for a few minutes of peace to feed and water the chickens each day. I especially enjoyed this necessity in the dead of the winter when most of us are penned up in our homes without even a thought of going out into the cold. We miss a beautiful expression of God’s love by staying in doors on calm freezing mornings, yet without a reason it is difficult to step outside and observe the cold beauty.
*
I have discovered an odd satisfaction in tending animals who, in return for their care, give me something I value. I do not enjoy touching animals much but I love watching their peculiar behaviors. My fun little birds will miss clucking on the front porch in hopes of getting a handful of rice crispies but I am sure they will be happy at the barn across town with the other chickens I have raised in my garage. So, farewell to a yard full of chickens and hello to a yard filled with flowers that don’t get eaten!
