Spring Chickens,
Should I Go or Should I Stay

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Today, the backyard chicken craze is sweeping the country, especially as demand for organically locally grown foods increases. Some people want their children to know where their food comes from. They start out thinking they'll get just a few spring chickens but when the fever hits them, they end up adding more or unusual breeds.

Like many people, we let our chickens roam in the daytime, putting them in their coop at night. It's important to build a secure coop, especially along the bottom.

I get a kick out of them chasing each other around the yard. My impression of chickens is they're a lot smarter than people give them credit for, and yes, they all have their own personalities. They follow you around; they'll talk to you, and they always want what you have.

We ordered 44 chicks this spring, Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, Barred Rock and White Rocks, 11 of each.

Jan. 20th 2012 update: The seven hens that we have chosen to keep have been giving us 5 eggs a day for three months now. That's a whopping 450 eggs.

Music "Should I Go or Should I Stay" from Black Stack Music.com.