Spring Chickens

The first group of chickens are pretty special each year.  The whole experience creates some angst for us as caretakers, especially if we are trying something new.  This year we used a greenhouse to brood the chicks for the first 3 weeks.  The greenhouse maintained a healthy temperature for the chicks, and proved to be a nice environment for them during their most vulnerable moments.

After the brooding stage, they make their way to the pasture.   Since the weather was still fluctuating between winter and summer temps, we kept the chickens close to the greenhouse.  They had the option to spend their time inside or out.  

Where do you think they spent their time?  

One evening, my son woke me up in fear of the thunder bellowing out my window.  I eased him and myself back to sleep after assuring him, it’s just a little rain.

Little did I know, the rain was peppered with hail.  Our Sunday morning was quickly tainted by discovering some chickens in the pasture.  Plenty of loss, sadness, and guilt flowed through us all.  

We lost a lot of chickens that night.  One week before harvest day.

There is a real heaviness to the responsibility of raising and producing food. We raise animals with a purpose, for us and others to eat and sustain the land while doing so. This requires times where we put our effort and money into raising the food, and have little to show for it.

It can be a harsh way of life, that requires mental toughness and faith.

We have to remind ourselves of the good, constantly.  Which is a big reason why we choose to farm outdoors.  Being outside helps, although it creates challenges beyond our control, it helps.

Hearing from people who actually eat the food we raise helps too.  Why do you think plenty of farmers put in the long hours to trek their food to the markets? I think connecting with the people enjoying our food helps us get through those harsh days, whether we like it or not.