I Used to Hate Chickens

I did NOT grow up thinking I’d be a chicken person. Like… absolutely not. If you told me a few years ago I’d be outside every morning, coffee in hand, talking to chickens like they’re my girls… I would’ve rolled my eyes. And yet… here I am. Fully invested. I know their personalities. I have favorites. It’s actually embarrassing how much I love them.

But I really do.

There’s just something about it that hits different. You step outside before the day really gets going, it’s quiet, the light is soft, nobody is asking you for snacks yet… and it’s just you and your little routine. Open the coop, toss the feed, grab the eggs. That’s it. Nothing fancy. Nothing aesthetic. Just real life. And in a season where everything feels loud and nonstop and someone always needs something from you… it feels like a reset.

And the funny part is—it’s not even really about the eggs. Like yes, the eggs are amazing… but it’s the chickens themselves. The way they literally RUN to you like you’re famous. The way one is always acting crazy for no reason. The way my kids will just stand there and watch them like it’s the best show they’ve ever seen. It’s chaotic. It’s a little unhinged. But it’s so fun.

And it slows you down without you even realizing it.

Now don’t get it twisted—it’s not always cute. There are days where I’m like “why did I sign up for this” because it’s raining, I’m tired, I have mud and chicken poop all over my boots, and it feels like one more thing on my plate. Because it is work. It’s responsibility. It’s another thing that depends on you.

But somehow… it still doesn’t feel draining in the same way everything else can. It feels… worth it. Like in a really simple, grounding way. Like okay, this actually matters. This is real life. Not just running around checking boxes all day.

Because raising chickens isn’t really about chickens. It’s about the kind of life you’re building. It’s choosing to step outside instead of scrolling. It’s your kids learning stuff without you having to sit down and “teach” it. It’s creating these little rhythms in your day that make everything feel a little slower and a little more full.

And I did not expect that part.

I didn’t expect it to make my days feel calmer. I didn’t expect it to make my home feel fuller. I didn’t expect to actually look forward to going outside in the morning.

But here we are. It’s not glamorous. It’s definitely not always convenient. And it’s honestly a little chaotic some of the time. But I love it.

And if you’ve ever thought about getting chickens—even just a little—this is me telling you that this is your sign!

Because sometimes the random, simple things you didn’t plan on… end up being the things that change your whole life. It sure did for me!

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