We bought some Isa Brown laying hens at an auction before we had a chicken coop.
Not exactly the best way to plan things.
But with a creative husband, we found a way to keep them dry and protected. An old truck topper became an improvised hen house.
Just a little bit hillbilly-ish.
Our children have never had chickens before, so they were thrilled. They went out first thing in the morning to check on the chickens in their pj’s. That first day they gathered 9 eggs from 10 hens, they were so delighted! They spent hours outside sitting and watching them. Then they would come in all excited telling me something else they seen the chicken do.
“Mom!”
“Did you know chickens close their eyes, cluck and lay and egg in the nest box?”
One morning, Jasper (5) got up, showered, dressed then immediately put his coat on.
“Jasper, what are you doing?”
“I am going to talk to the chickens!”
The simple delights in life.
The chickens have no lack for socialisation from my children!
Walden even worked at getting his chicken to jump for bread crumbs.
But in the meantime, we have chickens that need a warmer place to live. Winter was fast approaching – well, actually it arrived – and they needed a coop.
When we decided to build a greenhouse we realized the chickens could have a temporary home in the greenhouse and help to prepare the soil for planting our garden by fertilizing and scratching around.
Our temporary fix to the chicken housing! A bit of an upgrade from the hillbilly enclosure, to be sure. Following the sunshine around the greenhouse, I think the chickens were impressed. They probably think they got transplanted to Flordia. Do you suppose they feel blessed?
Then we got the idea to set the rabbit pen inside the greenhouse, too. Their waters don’t freeze nearly as fast, just being protected a bit in the greenhouse. The greenhouse is like having a spot one zone warmer.
We put a ramp up to their cage and when someone is out there, the rabbits are allowed out.
The fun of the ramp is that the rabbits (Mint and Poppy) frisk around in the greenhouse. They love spinning around and goofing off with the chickens.
The chickens, however, are not always impressed with a rabbit hopping into them, though. What a flutter of wings and squawking they can make!
Mint was even ornery enough to climb up into one of the chickens nesting box.
When we have bright sunny days, I can not resist the desire to go sit in the greenhouse to soak up the warmth of the sunshine. The perk is to get to watch the antics of the 2 rabbits, 10 chickens and laugh with the children.
Simple Blessings
Whoever thought that the chickens we bought at an auction would end up in our new greenhouse along with the two rabbits that were given to us. Sometimes life’s surprises brings us unexpected delights. It is just fun to sit and savour the moment.
God brings those unexpected delights in lots of ways –
A friend drops in for tea and it was just the encouragement you needed.
Looking out my kitchen window, the mountains shine with the pink and golden reflections of the setting sun and the Lord brings to mind “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” (Ps 121:1) What a glorious thought!
That moment when you know you got to write on your Childs heart in a way that makes a treasured memory and you both get those warm fuzzy feelings.
In the depth of winter, we can sometimes feel cranky and long for the change of seasons. But there are blessings all around us. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the little blessings in your day.
Simple blessings.
Look for them.
Treasure them.
Feeling Blessed ~
~Sheila
