I said, She said

I'm always interested to find out what people who know nothing about chickens assume about them. I thought I would share a few, and answer them as best I can... it's also a good laugh for people who know about chickens.

I took Alvin to school with me the other day to pick up the Boy. Boy explained that Alvin came from a blue egg.
His teacher said, "Like a robin? Is it a robin?"
Boy explained that it was a chicken. Chickens can lay all colors of eggs.

Another lady, waiting for her grand-daughter at the same school asked me how I feed my chickens.
"Oh," I replied, "I feed them starter feed, and some fresh foods and leftovers..."
She nodded. "In a dropper?"
(Chickens are born able to feed themselves. Quail and other similar birds can too. Yes, birds like parrots need to be fed through a dropper if a human feeds them...)

Same lady didn't know that incubation was possible. I didn't want to be offensive, so I didn't ask her where she thought they all came from, the ones we eat, but I didn't. I AM curious though.

I know that some kids, if you ask them, "Where does chicken come from? Where do eggs come from?" will answer, "The store."

This is actually one of the big reasons that I do what I do and that I want to expand my homestead. I think it is essential that children, well, people in general, know where their food comes from and how it gets to them, to have a sense of gratitude and respect for the animals that provide us with the nutrients we need to survive.

And to get to know animals as individuals, not as factories for eggs, meat, and milk. We should know them, thank them for their gifts, interact with them, and be grateful for their bounty.

Sabbath Thoughts

I don't work on Sunday-- I observe the Sabbath and find Spring-esque renewal for the week to come by spending time with my family, attending church, and trying to keep an open heart and mind to the incredible world and blessings I see around me. Miracles are so easy to find, if you just look.

After all, it's this awe and love of creation that makes me want to Homestead. It's just gravy if I can reduce my carbon footprint, or feed my family-- I just want to be part of creation and life and a spectator in birth, life, death, communication. I feel like I understand more about faith and God by learning about his creatures and creation. "It is Wonderful!"

I get lost in details, it's very much me to not be able to see the forest for the trees. I can spend hours watching my sons sleep and marvel over every eyelash or the fact that all three of them have triangle-shaped mouths. I can sit and watch my cat as he interacts with the family, and how his best friend is the baby. I wallow in it, I drown in it, and I love it. That is who I am.

Creation. Life. Birth. It is so amazing-- so simple and complex. No wonder returning to the land and earth is so core to my existence.