An Afternoon I Won’t Forget!
One afternoon, I walked down to the coop with my usual container, expecting the normal handful of eggs.
Instead, I opened the nesting boxes and just stared.
Egg after egg after egg — different colors, sizes, and shades. Soft blues, light greens, warm browns, and creamy tans. It looked like a pastel rainbow had been tucked carefully into straw.
By the time I finished collecting, my container was full. This wasn’t a week’s worth of eggs. This was an afternoon.
I turned around to see the hens watching me, as if they knew exactly what they had done. There’s something really special about that simple exchange: I care for them, and they quietly return the favor in their own way.
Why That Moment Mattered
It wasn’t just about the number of eggs (although it was definitely impressive!). It was about what those eggs represented:
- Months of caring for the chicks when they were tiny fluff balls under a heat lamp
- Early mornings checking water, food, and bedding
- Adjusting their setup so they’d be comfortable and safe
- Watching them grow from nervous little pullets into confident hens ruling the run
Seeing that many eggs in one afternoon felt like a milestone. It was a reminder that all those small daily routines add up to something really beautiful.
The Joy of Backyard Chickens
I started keeping chickens because I loved the idea of fresh eggs and a more connected rhythm with nature. What I didn’t fully expect was how much personality, humor, and calm they’d bring into everyday life.
There’s the hen who always has something to “say,” the one who thinks she’s stealthy but absolutely isn’t, and the chill queen who just vibes in the sun. And then there are days like this one, when you walk down to the coop and realize just how much abundance a small flock can create.
Even though I’m not selling eggs right now, these moments are worth sharing. They’re little snapshots of a slower, simpler happiness: dirt on your shoes, straw in your hair, and a container full of eggs that came from hens you know by personality, not just by number.
Looking Ahead
Every season with the flock feels different. Spring brings new energy and possibilities, summer brings egg abundance, fall brings molting (and a lot of feathers everywhere), and winter brings cozy routines.
But that summer afternoon — arms full of eggs, chickens clucking behind me — is one of those memories I know I’ll look back on whenever I need a reminder of why I started this journey in the first place.
Backyard life isn’t always glamorous, but it is full of these small, magical moments. And for me, that’s more than enough. 🐔💛🥚