Hens for Happiness
If you don’t have pretty little feathered creatures that live in your backyard and leave tasty, nourishing gifts for you, you may want to consider getting some.
I love having chickens.
They make these eggs in their little bodies, and almost every day they provide us with food that is far superior to anything we could buy in the store.
Watching them is so enjoyable. It’s relaxing to watch them scratch at the ground and search for bugs. Watching fish in a tank is supposed to be really calming, but this is much better, and you get to be outside while you’re watching. They make the funniest noises!
It also gives me something to do. I’m a busy person, and the last seven years have been especially busy. Since we adopted our kids, my life has been filled with work, cooking, homework, and sports. When you’re used to being busy, down time can be hard. I didn’t know what to do with myself if there wasn’t something going on. Now that our kids are getting older, there is more down time in my life. Not a lot, but some. It’s nice to have something I enjoy doing. I don’t even mind cleaning their coop. I enjoy taking care of them – giving them water and food and giving them as much attention as they’ll put up with.
Raising chickens is rewarding in many ways. It feels good to know that what we’re doing in our yard is much more sustainable than what you would find on a factory farm. Not only that, but our chickens enjoy life! They are out basking in the sun, bathing in the dirt, munching on bugs, and nibbling on grass. They have space to roam and even fly. Because they’re so happy and they eat food that is good for them, the eggs that they make abound with nutrients and are very healthful! I take care of them, and they take care of me.
This afternoon, I went out to the yard and collected three eggs. Every time I find an egg, I’m excited. It hasn’t gotten old. I thank the chickens (yes, out loud) and tell them what a good job they’ve done. Most of ours aren’t even laying yet, so when we start getting six to eight eggs a day, I’m going to be eggstatic!