This year I decided to try raising some chickens. I thought that the experience would be good in case we ever need to provide our own food (eggs and meat). Then there was the thought that at least I'd know 1) what was going into the eggs I was eating, and 2) how well the animals were treated. I knew that there would be some 'yuck' involved in the whole process, but overall, it was kind of fun to choose the breed of chicks - Barred Rock - and build the coop. I did most of it myself but John helped with a couple of the steps. He also helped me carry the coop to the final resting place in my garden, (It was HEAVY!!) and put up with the mess on the back porch for a week or so ;).

Yesterday morning I walked out to find the coop open and the chickens in the garden, scratching and pecking away at the bugs. I had actually picked up a few more birds - two Black Sex-link and two Austrolorps. One of the Black Sex-Links was gone. It was in the lawn, half eaten. Sadness! It must have been a raccoon to be able to open the latch. I think I need more secure latches for the doors!

I had to remind myself that this is all part of life; a part that most of us are sheltered from our entire lives because we don't grow our own food. (I'm sounding 'granola cruncher'!) While I was reading up on chickens, I found a response to a post that said something like: "You should just buy your meat from the store where they don't harm the animals!" Hmmmm. I'll keep the chickens, even with the threats from our unfriendly neighborhoood raccoon!