Our Faithful Flock

All the protection in the world doesn’t matter if the door stays open.   The other day I stood looking at the coop and run, noticing all the layers of protection we put in place when we first built it. We made sure the hardware cloth went all the way down the sides and stretched out about a foot into the ground. Then we added cinder blocks on top of that cloth so nothing could dig underneath. After a few visits from raccoons and opossums, we even ran electric wire along the top. We’ve done everything we know to do to keep the chickens safe. As I looked at that well-protected coop, it hit me—none of it matters if we leave the door open. All the fencing, wire, and careful planning can’t stop a predator from walking straight in if we forget that one simple step. Closing the door is the most important part. It made me think about my own life. God has put so many protections in place for us—His Word, His Spirit, wise counsel, boundaries meant to keep us safe. But if I leave the door ope...

  Christmas has come and gone, and now it’s time to pack everything up again for another year. Life settles back into its normal rhythm—but around here, normal still includes feathers, clucking, and a whole lot of personality in our backyard. The chickens are flourishing, even though egg production is down a bit. Winter will do that. One thing I’ve learned recently: if I let them out to free-range before they’ve laid their eggs, they’ll still make their way back into the coop to use the nesting boxes. I had wondered if maybe they were laying eggs somewhere random in the yard, but nope—they know exactly where to go. It’s fascinating to watch how resilient they are. As long as there’s no draft, they handle the cold surprisingly well. And when the sun comes out? Oh, they absolutely love it. They dig big craters in the dirt just so they can stretch out and soak in that warmth like little fluffy sunbathers. As I was talking about the chickens with some friends, I said something that...

  It’s been a hectic season around here, and I can definitely feel it. Life has been full, schedules have been packed, and some of my favorite rhythms—like regular sourdough baking—have taken a bit of a back seat. While I haven’t been baking bread lately, I did stumble across a sourdough fresh-milled flour chocolate chip cookie recipe that has quickly become a household favorite. Sometimes a good cookie is just what everyone needs. https://freshmilledmama.com/the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies-made-with-fresh-milled-flour-soft-and-chewy/ Even in the midst of the busyness, the chickens continue to be a steady, comforting presence. They’re doing well overall, though they’ve started to slow down on egg production now that winter has settled in. We do have a light in the coop to help extend daylight hours, but despite that, fewer eggs are just part of the season. Thankfully, the cold air itself doesn’t seem to bother them much. Mike and I spent time winterizing both the coop and the r...

Today was one of those days that felt like a gift. Nothing was on the calendar, and I didn’t feel rushed—I just had time to enjoy the things I love. The kitchen was busy with the smell of fresh baking. I worked on four sourdough loaves and tried a new recipe that turned out amazing. Alongside that, I made five dozen chocolate chip muesli cookies. While the bread was rising, I found myself glued to the chicken coop camera, watching the girls in the nest boxes. It’s funny how much drama a few hens can stir up. They were all lined up, waiting for one particular nest box as if it was the only option in the world. The squawking, pacing, and indecision made me laugh. Finally, three eggs were laid, and then Ruby—after taking her sweet time—marched right out of the nest, headed toward the door, and promptly plopped her egg right there on the ground. And yes, I caught the whole thing on camera! The eggs we’ve collected so far have been such a blessing—each one perfectly formed with strong s...

  I’m so excited—three of our chickens have started laying their adorable little eggs! They’re tiny, but oh my goodness, they’re just the cutest things. Today brought a bit of unexpected chicken drama. I accidentally left one of the girls outside the run while the other five were locked in. I didn’t notice until I checked the camera and saw her wandering happily around the yard. When I went out to bring her back in, she was living her best life—scratching, pecking, and exploring like she owned the place. Meanwhile, the five inside were tattling up a storm! Oh, the squawking! You’d think they were filing formal complaints about the injustice. They really are so much like children. School starts tomorrow, and the Early Learning Center kicked off yesterday. The past few days have been filled with early mornings, late nights, and a to-do list that never ends. I’m running on coffee and determination, but I know it’s going to be an amazing year. With the rush of back-to-school, my ...

  Let’s be honest—raising chickens the way we’ve done it is downright bougie. Between the custom coop, automatic doors, fans, cameras, and misting systems, we’ve invested way more than we’ll ever make back in eggs. But these girls? They’re worth every penny. They bring so much joy with their quirky antics that I often find myself just sitting and watching them, laughing out loud. Take, for example, the way they react to new treats. You’d think I was offering them poison. They’ll cock their heads, inspecting the item suspiciously with one eye like it’s some kind of trick. Every. Single. Time. And then there’s the mister system. We installed it to help them cool down during the hottest afternoons. But instead of enjoying the refreshing mist, they panic when it turns on—squawking and running into their coop to hide until it shuts off. Then, once it stops, they come out like nothing happened. Which, of course, completely defeats the purpose. Maybe one day they’ll figure it out. Or...