Some chicken coops are fancy, with chandeliers, painted murals and classical music piped in to relax hens laying eggs in the nesting boxes. Some coops are re-purposed from well-loved children’s play houses, old sheds, outhouses, rabbit hutches and the like. Some are simple with a dirt floor, four walls and just enough protection from the elements. Others fall somewhere in between, with a fresh coat of paint, a window or two and small coop door. No matter how different the coops, chickens always recognize their home when they are out gallivanting in the yard and like clockwork, return at dusk. As long as they have full bellies, fresh water, a place to scratch and a small patch of sunshine to lie in, they find happiness. Dust bathing, eating bugs and watching birds fly overhead become favorite past times. They cackle with family and enjoy sleeping under the same roof. I watch them bond together while raising a young clutch of chicks and allowing well-loved family members to grow old in a dignified fashion.
Chickens and new born babies have not a care in the world if they have their health, a loving family, nourishing food and fresh clean air. People say that chickens aren’t smart and most would say that new born babies are nothing more than cute little pudgy lumps of Freudian Id. However, I think they are quite brilliant. They know the first lesson in life, a lesson that so many of us lose sight of and forget as we get older and approach the time make a home of our own. Depending on our own personal budgets and preferences, we chose what we feel is necessary to be happy.
We seem to forget that home is more than a place. Home is a feeling. The most important thing a home can provide is a sense of safety, happiness, love and warmth. It is where life’s lessons are taught around the kitchen table. It is a place where you can always return. It is full of encouragement. It is a place where people believe in you. It is a place where your family, the flock, returns day after day and year after year to celebrate living.Chickens have a wonderful sense of home. Babies have a wonderful sense of home. Us grown-ups, I guess we need chickens and babies to remind us what truly makes a home a home.
Photo Credit: Tilly’s Nest
12 thoughts on “Home”
So well written, so true, so insightful. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
And I love your old kettle of nasturtiums!!
Thanks Dewdrop Gardens, the nasturtiums belong to a dear friend and sits outside of her chicken coop. This photo just makes me smile.
When we move, I am taking my coop with me. Its little tiny but I know my little flock loves it and I don't want them to be upset by both the move and then having to live in a new house. Once we are settled in, I am going to build them a bigger place but for now, I just know they will be happy if they see their coop at the new place!
I for one love your coop and know that your girls do too! Congratulations on the new place!
Hi Melissa! How timely that I popped in today…What a beautiful post on Home… I loved every word of it…and I especially love your image of that teapot brewing nasturtiums!!! wink wink!!!Reminds me of our visit over a year ago!!! I know.. time gets a way from all of us.. you need to come see the girls and the new cutting garden! I've got buds about to burst!!! Love to all,
Deb
Thanks Deb! Yes, we are long overdue! Now that school is out, let's make a date.
Good read! thanks a lot for this share. glad that you shared this post.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you.
I love your post and it is so true! Home is where the heart is and protection, food and kindness mean everything! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! It is always nice to know that other people feel the same way as me. So glad you stopped in today 🙂
Amen! This post hits close to ummm, well, home. Divorce put me on the search to find that feeling somewhere new. I'm hoping my new chickens and gardens seal the deal.
I think that chickens and gardens are both magical somehow, I think you are going to begin this wonderful new chapter in life with both being part of you forever.