*I didn't have time to finish this the day it all happened while the emotions were still high :)
Back in May of 2010 we were given all we needed to raise chickens. A free large dog house, equipment for a run, 3 chickens and a boy that had a crush on my sister was handy enough to put it all together for me, also for free. It was a little scary at first and I had a little bit of "buyers" remorse but I ended up falling in love.
I loved my chickens and I loved them even more after they started laying delicious eggs.
In January 2011 we moved to our new house (this is where I stopped)
and all I could think of when I brought the chickens over was "they must be in heaven with all this space to just roam". They were and then shortly after, one of them, my favorite one Belina went to heaven. Thanks to that damn dog behind us.
In February we decided to add to the flock and bought 2 baby chicks. The kids LOVED them. Charlotte a little too much and they were squeezed to death,
remember? Then came the replacements a few days later,
this time we bought 3.
In May that damn flippin dog got out again and killed 2 of the young chickens. (to save you on the math, we are back down to 3)
On KSl we found a boy selling chickens that were about the same age as the ones that were killed, 8 weeks.
We bought 3. Shortly after a different neighbor's boyfriend had 2 dogs that played tug o war with one of the new ones. Another scarring experience for Cloe as she was the one that was trying to save them and round them up while I beat the shit out of one of the dogs. I was so mad! Luckily he had more so we went back for one more chicken. I think I am forgetting a killing of one of the originals, Ella.
After that we had Cheetah, Lady, Ducky, Penny and Bella. And not too mention, they spent far more of their days locked up and not roaming the yard. Late Fall of 2011, Ducky disapearred and Bella was killed by the dog across the street. Then she killed 2 more before the year was over. We were getting ready to move and were down to 2 chickens. We found our house and were told we couldn't bring the chickens.
I posted on facebook that a friend could have everything for free. My friends mom said she wanted them (I didn't want to give them away for free since it wasn't a friend anymore but whatever)
The day they came to pick the stuff up, I got in the cage to catch Penny and the second I grabbed her I started to cry. I handed her to the kids and then caught the other one, Lady and handed her to a kid. I let the kids hold them one more time before we got rid of them. After the left I went inside and started crying. I was so sad to get rid of them, I love my chickens. Time has passed and I am over it now, I do miss having them around and nothing beats fresh chicken eggs. Someday I will buy some more ladies. I think people are surprised about the feelings they have towards their chickens after they buy them. It seems so weird to love a chicken but there is something about them, they are so soft and whenever I would come outside, they would always run to me like a dog wanting food. How could you not love a pet that is low maintenance and provides food for your family!
