Monday, December 31, 2012

Farewell 2012

2012, all in all, was a year of learning experiences for me.  And while not all lessons in life are easy or enjoyable, they shape who we are and how we will take on the future.  Chinese tradition called it the year of the Dragon, but for me it was the year of the Chicken. Our first steps into this new found hobby (albeit obsession at times) has brought much into my life.




Raising day old chicks this spring with my family showed me how to appreciate the joy in new experiences.  Watching the little fluffy creatures grow and change, so rapidly, was something that my daughter and I were in awe of.  From their first bites of a new food to their first time out in grass all the way to their first attempts at roosting, watching their reactions brought us laughter and a chance to bond.


As our girls matured I was able to teach my daughter a bit more about life cycles as we looked for signs that our girls were ready to lay eggs. Carefully, quietly, kindly we interacted with them more and more, always vigilant for changes in their behavior or appearance.  One glorious afternoon we were treated to another chance to bond; discovering our hens first egg together!  We were both so overjoyed and shared a moment that will remain forever a treasured memory.

A day before Thanksgiving we noticed one of our hens acting distressed. She was displaying signs of being eggbound.  Watching our sweet Ursula so uncomfortable, hunched up, labored breathing, we were very concerned.  No matter the holiday, we set up a dog kennel inside our home for her and she stayed inside with us for five days.  She was carefully monitored (by all family members, human and animal) and received what treatments we could do to help.  Epson salt soaks, gentle massages, warm moist heat...nothing helped.  

This would be her first egg, but it seemed as if she wasn't quite ready to lay it.  A few days after the holiday she perked back up and acted good as new.  False alarm on being eggbound!  She went back out and hasn't had any problems since. I suspect she just wanted an invitation to holiday dinner, but changed her mind once she saw the turkey wasn't the "honored guest" she thought!  We all realized though just how attached we had become to the girls.

I never thought I'd be a "chicken keeper" in my lifetime, but I am now.  I love it and I'm very glad and grateful for what this has brought into my life.  They have caused me to slow down and appreciate the simple things a little more.  It also introduced me to a wonderful group of Farm Chicks who have enriched my life more than they know.

The last two months of this year have been particularly difficult for me. Medical issues in my family have arisen and shaken us deeply.  Another lesson I have learned this year is that I should no longer take a single day for granted.  Do what makes you happy.  Help others.  Be a good friend.  You may not have another choice to try a new experience again.

2012 was the year of the Chicken for me.  2013 will be the year of Family.  Whatever you may choose to dedicate yourself to this year, I wish you much luck and a very happy 2013.







8 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful post. It is full of all the things that make life worth living. God bless you, your family and your animals!

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    1. Thank you so much! The friendship of you Farm Chicks is one of the blessings of my life as well!

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  2. <3 I have chills and tears rolling! What a lovely testimony we should all learn from! Love you and your family bunches! Hugs, many, many prayers and lots of love from another farm chick!

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    1. So touched that you could feel my emotion in this. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. Much love to you and your adorable family!

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  3. I am so glad to have found your blog! We also started with baby chicks last spring, then added a beautiful Brahma Buff rooster this fall. Looking forward to more:-)

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  4. Thank you for stopping by Anita! I'm glad you did! Oh I love Buff Brahmas! So regal looking! I can see why you chose that breed for your roo. Aren't chickens so much fun?

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  5. I'm so happy to find your site! Our daughters would enjoy each other. Our girlie, a.k.a. "Chicken Mama," is obsessed with all things chicken and horse-related. She raised her first girls in 2011, and then added three more chickens in April 2012 so that she could participate in 4-H showing. She loved it! I, like you, never expected to own chickens--but they are adorable. Look forward to visiting again soon! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Oh Julie, you don't now how right you are! My girl loves her chickens (and cats and dogs) so much...but we also help out at a miniature horse farm. I've known the owner since I was about 12 and my daughter has been raised up around them. She loves all horses, but is a little intimidated of full size, so the minis and the quarter pony there are perfect!

      Chicken ownership tends to draw us all together in the best ways. I'm so glad you stopped by and I'm even happier to now have found your BEAUTIFUL website and blog. I have much to learn from you! :)

      Keep in touch and tell Chicken Mama hello from my chicken gal!

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