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.