Half way through the summer I realized that “getting ready” for chickens was taking to long.  So instead of being completely ready and totally prepared I went ahead and ordered 18 chicks. I figured that if we knew they were on the way it would motivate us into getting a coop ready. It worked!!  We had a place in mind for our chickens.  A small room behind our pump house that had been used for storage.  So it was my job to clean it out.  While cleaning I found an old play pen that was soon to become a temporary home for 18 little peeps.  Chicken coops need to be well ventilated so Digger built a screen door, installed a (recycled, closeable) window and cut out a chicken door. 

I went to town and bought 2 little waterers, 2 little feeders, a bag of chick feed, and a red heat lamp bulb.  At a yard sale I found a shelf that was the right size for nesting boxes (the average size is 12″x12″x12″). You should have at least 1 nesting box for every 4 chickens and this shelf had 10 boxes so that was plenty.  All Digger had to do was add a strip of wood across the front of the boxes to keep the bedding from falling out.  After all Diggers hard work and my shopping spree we were ready for chicks!!

Should we get chickens?  While pondering this question a memory kept flashing through my head.  I remember gathering eggs when I was little.  You’re probably thinking….awww what a wonderful memory to have of childhood. NO, not so much!  As a young child I was a bit of a……ummm, I guess you could call it “germaphobic?” (I know a germaphobic farm girl…weird huh…my parents thought I was switched at birth)  Anyway, reaching under a pecking, flapping, squawking bird to grab a poop covered egg was absolutely terrifying!!  I don’t remember how old I was when we got rid of all the chickens, but I was relieved.  To my mothers relief I eventually out grew my “germ thing”(REALLY outgrew it!).  That was my last experience with chickens so this question led to a lot of thought, discussion and research.  Finally coming to the conclusion that YES we should get chickens. Why?  This is probably the first and easiest step to becoming self sufficient, and they will be great 4-H projects for the girls.  We eat tons of eggs and whats better than your own fresh, free range, chicken eggs!!