Lessons from Chicks

A few weeks ago, we got four baby chickens, two golden comets and two cinnamon queens. I know. You might be disappointed from the title, so feel free to skip this one, then. I had zero expectations. Well, that’s not exactly true. I had zero positive expectations. I had plenty of negative ones. They’d be messy, dumb, creepy, weird, etc. How could one love a chicken? So, while they’re staying inside with us (yes, with our Jabba-like cat and Great Dane), how gross would this be? How awful!

I was wrong.

We all named one: Henrietta, Morgana, Bird. I got the leftover bird, Pollo. They all are different. They have personalities. They’re actually pretty sweet, too. My wife wanted us all to handle them often. This has become a highlight of the day honestly.

So, what have I learned in the short time we’ve been chicken owners? Is there anything relevant I can add to my life? Yes, I think so.

1. They’re resourceful. They absolutely use what they have. As they begin flying, they miss the mark sometimes. They use their necks as an appendage to grab, hold onto, and pull themselves up.
2. There is a pecking order. The smallest, Bird, tends to peck the most. The fattest, Henri, tends to “momma.” Pollo was the first to really fly; she’s kind of the leader. Morgana, with the wicked name, is probably the sweetest and likes resting on you.
3. They stick together. Where one goes, it’s not uncommon to see the others follow. They often sleep closely together. When they eat, they eat together (often on top of one another).
4. They’re different but not “messy, dumb, creepy, weird, etc.” I’m not going into detail on this one. I think it speaks for itself. Just because we don’t know or understand something doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing or insert whatever negative label you prefer.
5. Change is hard. Well, I don’t know if change is hard for chickens, but molting is not pretty. So, the outside changes; that doesn’t mean the inside does.

How we can apply these lessons?

We can use the resources we have available. This could be a quick internet search. This could be people. This could be professional services. While we may not always agree with the position, we can respect it. We can remember that we’re all a part of the human race; we’re in this thing together; so let’s make the best of it. Likewise, we’re all different. Whether it be culture, language, political stance, etc., be curious. Have conversations. It’s really hard to be all about love when you’re talking hate, right? No matter who we are, change is hard. This could be loss. This could look like a move. This could be a job change. If you see someone struggling, don’t pile on; be friendly. We’re more alike (just like our different chickens) than different.

Perhaps a bigger point here is how we can learn from anyone and anything if we’re open to it. I know I may not always be, but it’s a process. I’m a work in progress. Don’t think less of something or someone. Jesus used a donkey, after all (see Mark 11)!

What have your pets, farm animals, or perhaps uncommon things taught you?

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