I had been talking about wanting chickens for years. I also loved the idea of planting a veggie garden; but every time I mentioned it to anyone, I was quickly reminded of my many dead house plants.
But naysayers be damned!
I finally took the plunge last year and got some chicks in July of 2012. A few months later I started some seeds with my youngest daughter. Then we planted a 4×4 veggie garden and bought some meat rabbit breeders in the fall of 2012.
The one interesting comment I got from a lot of people was, “just go to the grocery store”. I was and am taken aback by this statement. To most people in suburbia the idea of raising chickens, even for just for eggs, seems nuts. To plant and work on a garden, especially in the desert is just too much work. AND how could you possibly consider EATING a RABBIT?!?!!
But I think, why wouldn’t you want to use the land, any land, that you have been gifted with to grow your own food. Why would you not like to teach your children about planting a tiny seed, caring for it and then later enjoying the fruits of your labor at the dinner table. And unless you’re a vegetarian…all your meat had feather or fur and a face!
I am happy to know that I care for the animals in my keep. They are not just treated humanely but with love. I guess that might sound strange if you think you might eat that animal later.
We are connecting to our roots, dreaming of a simpler time and life. We are growing traditions…
Here are in a few pictures and words maybe you’ll see the beauty in being a backyard homesteader. Remember we are just a year into this. It isn’t always “magazine ready” but we are proud of it.
A few of our little chicks in the brooder. 7/12
Little pullets free ranging 11/12
Big girls enjoying their salad…6/13
Gorgeous backyard-fresh eggs that I shared with a neighbor.
Organic Cauliflower growing in our 1st 4×4 square foot garden. Grown from seeds.
Yummy Broccoli – the first one flowered because I didn’t know what heritage broccoli looked like. LOL Also grown from seeds.
My youngest with our first carrot harvest. Carrots have never tasted so sweet! And you guessed it…seed grown.
Mama Blossom with some kits. Confession…none of these were eaten by us. I sold them all…baby steps.
