Day One of Chicken Parenthood

To all of you who encouraged us, doubted us, or weren't quite sure how to react, the Broussards are officially newbie chicken owners.

For those of you who don't know how this all began, I will provide a brief summary. After struggling to decide on a meaningful way to spend my summer, I confronted my dad several months ago with a possible solution. Raising chickens, I explained, would give me something to do and allow me to be home, spending time with friends and family over the summer. It would also be a great educational experience to complement my environmental food studies major. The fresh eggs and garden fertilizer were perhaps the most persuasive elements of my proposal. And by the end of our Instant Messenger conversation, I could tell Dad was on my side.

My mom was not as easily enchanted. She assured me that chickens were "creepy" and "evil" (even cannibalistic!) and that she would gain nothing from the experience except perhaps some menacing nightmares. Fortunately, Mom softened up to the idea after Mrs. Morrison, family friend and neighbor, responded enthusiastically to the idea and even offered to help out during winter months. I think an article in Organic Gardening magazine on Vogue backyard chickens (and their equally chic coops) also helped my case.

My dad and I made coop building into a collaborative effort (though, I admit, he handled most of the detail work) and worked in spurts throughout the month of June. This afternoon, we slapped on a few final structural necessities before it was time (at last!) for the (much-anticipated) chickens to move in.

I was surprised at what a talking point the chickens have proven to be. Turns out there are a lot more backyard chickens in the area than I realized. In fact, we even found out that the family across the street has been quietly raising hens for at least a year now. I've been lucky to have so many people share their backyard chicken experiences with me. Wendy Thomas, who blogs about her chickens at http://simplethrift.wordpress.com/, was an especially great resource and kindly answered our questions, calmed our newbie fears, and even gifted us with four chickens this afternoon!

Here's to chicken parenting!