Circle of Life

When my daughter brought home chickens to raise, we learned a lot about poultry, discipline and natural consequences.

The Circle of Life

Did you know Plano West High School has an FFA Chapter? Neither did I. Knock me over with a (chicken) feather because my 17 year old West Plano Princess is raising chickens in our garage to compete in the Collin County Fair. And yes, the purple jackets are the same as they were when we were in High School.

When she came to her mother and I to propose the idea I queried her about her thoughts on the downside of the project. She admitted that the butchering would be difficult if she got attached to them. I have encouraged her not to name the birds. But we are learning as we go. Apparently culling is necessary to encourage max growth for the better specimens. Of course, only Premium Show Chow is adequate for the project. Interestingly, this is the first time that the harvested product will be more expensive per pound than my venison is.

What I like about the whole ordeal is that she is gaining exposure to the practical and business side of this circle of life we all participate in. We have always tried to connect the food in the grocery store with its true origin for the kids. When my son was 4 or 5 one of his favorite activities was to fish. Fortunately there was (and still is) a catfish farm over by the Mesquite airport. We had caught a couple and it occurred to me that this was a great opportunity to teach him about this circle. At the time about all he would eat was fish sticks. So, in language he could understand, I explained that we were going to make fish stick out of our catch and that we needed another one for Mom. As he pulled in another he held it up and in a stage whisper cautioned me, “Dad- Don’t tell him he’s for supper!” That level of sincerity and simplicity is humbling.

Both kids have had game as a part of their diet their entire life and have a better appreciation of His creation because of it. My daughter has decided that the outdoors and animals and business might coincide in college. She was pondering how to combine agriculture with business and Dad looked like a champ in telling her there is a true “Ag-Business degree.” Does anyone know of a good Ag school 3 hours south of Dallas? Is that a whooping noise coming from the chicken coop?

What remains puzzling through all of this is her interest in agriculture. Prior to FFA and the chickens, her exposure to agriculture was limited to the produce aisle at Central Market. The passion and drive is clearly hers, but honestly, her mother and I get to take credit for inviting her to love the outdoors. We had her camping while she was in diapers, bb guns before kindergarten and hunting and fishing from day one. I choose to believe that the hours we have spent away from computers and television is paying off in an area that my daughter will find satisfying. I regularly struggle with knowing where the line is between responsible parenting and self-satisfying manipulation but I truly do want what is best for my kids and if this is the direction her path is taking her, I am happy for her.

The executions, eh-the culling- starts tomorrow. I hope Speckle and Flipper make it.