The new neighbors are here...

Early one morning a few weeks ago, I let my dogs out back like every other day.  Then out of the blue, I heard a weird screech or moan or I-don't-know-what.  To me, it sounded like maybe there was an animal caught in a trap or something.  Wait, let me back up...I live in the suburbs, in a regular old neighborhood, with semi normal people around me.  We all know what a neighborhood is...house after house...all basically the same.  I lonnnng for the country and small-town living, but that hasn't happened yet so I'm blooming where I'm planted for now.  That, however, is for another post and I've gotten completely off track.  I just wanted to point out that I didn't expect a coyote or fox or something in Pa's woodshed.  Where was I?  Oh yeah, so the weird noise.  I called my daughter out and she heard it also.  I pinpointed which yard it was coming from so I set out to find the source of this disquietude .  We have a hill in our backyard and then a wooden privacy fence so I had to lift up a patio chair and drag it up there with me so I could see over the fence.  And hence, our new neighbors...

Hmmm, chickens...in a backyard...in a neighborhood...  I know what you're thinking - what's the big deal??  When I put on Facebook that my neighbor had chickens, I was met with a lot of yeah? So? I know people with chickens.  But seriously, there are NO chickens where I live - except at the grocery store.  There may as well have been an ostrich back there - I wouldn't have been more surprised.

For a country girl at heart, I have to tell you, I was pretty excited!  Of course first I called to see if we're really allowed chickens within our limits.  I wasn't going to report the person - I know we're all on a more "natural" kick, and wanting to go learn self-sufficiency (well, some of us do), but I was curious because of course I was going to want some, too.   The first lady laughed and said she'd never been asked that and connected me to the Health Dept.  They told me yes, after a lot of paperwork and board approval, etc.  Sounds good to me!  

They don't stink - and I know this because my dogs are disinterested, besides peeing on the fence to let them know just who was boss in the 'hood, and if there's a rooster, he's quiet.  When the windows are open, I hear clucking and such and I pretend I'm out in my country home, overlooking my sunflower field, listening to the sounds of nature - and my husband sneezing and snorting because he's allergic to everything nature-y.  I'm able to tune that part out pretty well.  

Also, thanks to www.backyardchickens.com I was able to find the exact coop I will use to house my feathered friends if when we decide to go forward with my our idea...

It just happens to be called My Mid-Life Crisis Coop - how's that for a silly coincidence?  Now I need to go make friends with that neighbor so I can score some fresh eggs without actually leaving my backyard.  Have a good week!