No chickens shall be harmed in this experiment

As a new chicken parent, I am getting flashbacks to just before I had my own human children. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but please read on anyway...

Do you know that feeling of 'gee, do I have everything that I need to take care of this baby?' and 'WHAT do I even need?' Oh, and don't forget the infamous 'What will people tell me I need vs what I really need.' As a new parent, I remember that helpless feeling - no matter how many books I read or checklists I checked off, I was terrified of not having the proper "stuff". It did not occur to me that I could improvise; fill in the blanks as I needed to. It did not occur to me to be thrifty or to cut corners, as cutting corners may mean some terrible outcome.

The reality is that no baby has an expectation of perfection. My boys were just as happy when I had no clue what I was doing, as they were when I was following the LIST. As long as they were loved and cared for, fed and warm, life was good.

Oddly, I feel this way about the new chicken coop (which has yet to be purchased, BTW!) I am more conscience of money this time, more willing to piece things together and, excuse the bad pun, wing it! I feel apprehensive about what I need and how to set it up. By all accounts, there are very few ways to screw this up. BUT, I'm still having babies and I still have the same need to ensure that they are ok. Hell, I want them to be downright happy. I assure you, no chickens shall be harmed in this experiment.

Don't try this at home...
I have always wanted to raise chickens. Don't ask my why... they aren't particuarly cute or cuddly. They don't seem to reciprocate love in a snuggly, warm puppy kind of way. In fact, they are one of the few pets that you can eat - without looking like a psycho - if things go really bad with your budget. But still, I have always wanted to raise them. There's something about knowing where your food comes from, teaching the children responsibilities with immediate rewards (that don't involve technology) and having a pet that earns it's keep that really appeals to me. But don't get me wrong...I do not advocate making this decision without thought. Don't just click on over to Craigslist and buy a coop. Well, actually I did go to Craigslist for a coop, but more on that later... What I'm trying to say is, that although I have no experience with my own coop, I have worked on a farm. I have dealt with farm animals large and small. I have read many, many, many resources on backyard chicken coops as well as have spoken to people who have raised chickens and networked with local chicken owners to discuss the pros and cons. I did my homework. I don't think this project will be particuarly hard, but I am not going to take it on all willy-nilly. In other words, don't try this at home.