Friends, Christine and John, have a flock of chickens and two roosters. They also have two turkeys that have been a part of the family for over a year. However, the last time I visited the farm they mentioned to me that the flock seems to be dwindling and they are afraid it may be coyotes and foxes, among other predators in their neck-of-the-woods. Therefore, when I received an invitation to attend a chicken POW WOW two weeks ago, I couldn’t resist.
I started getting excited about three days prior to the event based on the idea that I will be learning valuable information that could benefit the future retreat center and learning community. I have always wanted chicks on the farm, and learning more about them was right up my alley. I awoke very early to clean up, because I knew friends were on the way from visiting family here in Denver. With one of their birthdays only two days away, I thought that we could have an early friendship dinner before the rush on the actual day. After I sorted through appropriate attire to attend the workshop, I got dressed and was on my way. The weather herein Colorado has been beautiful the last few days; yet, I knew the area of the state I would drive to is known for windy conditions and lots of snow. I was right about the winds…Whew! Glad that I brought along my good coat.
It took me about 40 minutes to arrive, and as usual, I was the first person there. Soon thereafter, people started arriving as well. The doors opened and I found a seat. I then looked to my right and saw the most beautiful roosters I had ever seen. One won the Best in Show award for 2017 at the latest stock show. His breather was one of the presenters, and I knew then that he must know his stuff.
Today I learned about brooders, layers, biosecurity, avoiding predators, pasty butt, scratch, grit, parasites, regular and organic feed, egg eating, caring for eggs, and a whole lot more. By the end of the presentation, I was overwhelmed and also knew that with this information, I could most definitely do this.
Proverbs 27:23 says “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.” I like this verse, because it is an important reminder of the importance of caring for the animals we keep. This means we must feed them the right foods for their bodies, make sure that they have fresh water, treat them with care, and always thank them for what they give to us, and f course for their sacrifices.
This was a good day, and I am so happy that I attended this event.
Happy Easter to you!
Rev. Charlotte