That's the view out my backdoor. Missing would be the chicken fence, chicken coop and of course...my beautiful chickens. Looking at this the past few days I have felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness. We were all so attached to our birds, they were like family members to us.
After the code enforcement officer stopped by two weeks ago I posted about what had happened on an local online chicken group I am part of. I asked if anyone could take them and provide them with a loving family home. The first woman who wrote me was a great match - her husband and her had just bought their first house in Portland (where having 3 chickens is legal) and they had already planned on getting some birds. They had taken chicken keeping classes, and done their research...and they were just really nice. I knew that they would be able to go out daily and interact with the girls like we had, and I felt really good about giving Indy, Omelet and Chimmy to them. I got a lot of replies from a lot of places around the area, but just could not find a place that felt right for Scrappy and Freckles. Its weird - you cant really judge someone by what they write in email, but at the same time...you can. Its like I would have a feeling about each place, good, bad or indifferent. I am really glad that I kept hesitating on committing to anyone, because just when I was about to settle, the perfect home for them came along. They went to a family with 3 kids who live in the country outside Portland. They already have chickens, roosters and lots of goats, and the girls would be able to have a lot of room to roam. Since Freckles and Scrappy are not nearly as people dependent as the other 3, I knew that this would be a great place for them. I had a really good feeling about it as soon I started emailing the woman, and sure enough - she turned out to be really great! We have a lot in common, and I have enjoyed emailing her this last week about all sorts of un-chicken related things. So all the girls went to great homes that I feel really good about. It was the best ending to the situation that we could have had.
As hard as it was for me to see the girls go - I am really trying to find the positive in the situation. I know that for some reason we are just not meant to have them right now. Maybe something is going to happen that would make having them a hardship. Maybe I am meant to learn something from one (or both) of the two women who entered my life because the chickens had to leave it. There is a reason, and even though I cant see it, I have accepted it and am moving on. Trying to find the positive has led me to a plan to plant drying beans along the back fence next year - something to feed my family that wouldn't have been possible with the chickens there. We have been able to leave the back gate open without fear that they will get out, and the kids enjoy that. I cant say that I miss the poop either!
So, when I look out my backdoor now, I am reminded of what I have lost. But I am also reminded of what I had, and what I have to look forward to. I think its going to be okay...
