That’s a line in the movie We bought a Zoo. He’s explaining to his brother why he bought a zoo. Because he wanted to give his children an authentic American experience.
Well, I’m not sure what exactly what makes owning animals an “authentic” experience or for that matter an “American” one. (Point of fact, the actual zoo the story was based on is in England.) But even if I can quibble with the phrasing, I get the point. No, I’m not going to run out a buy my kids an aardvark or a lemur and certainly not a lion, but there is something about caring for animals that just goes hand and hand with childhood.
I grew up in the suburbs with cats, a dog and the occasional rabbit. We never had anything that was truly exotic or certainly nothing that Ol’ McDonald would be interested in. However, my husband grew up on a farm in west Texas and his upbringing was so very different than mine. It was a cotton farm, not like the Fisher-Price farm, so they never had the full complement of barn-yard animals, but they had a cow or two, some horses, and yes, chickens. I had an ordinary childhood–not much to complain about really–but I’ve 
known ever since I fell in love with my hubby that I wanted our kids raised more like he was than like I was. I wanted our kids to have the experience of raising and caring for animals. I wanted them to have the responsibilities, the joys and yes, even the heartaches. Sure they could have had all that with a puppy, but I also wanted them to make the connection with where our food comes from. I wanted them to eat things grown in our garden or gathered from our own chickens. And, yes, I admit it. Baby chicks are cute.
Once, years ago, I saw an episode of Martha Stewart in which she toured a baby chick factory. (I’m sure that’s not the right word, but you know what I mean.) I was totally charmed. Those cute little fluffy things? Who wouldn’t love those?
Still, at the time I thought she was crazy for raising her own chickens for eggs. Things have changed drastically in the past decade. Now, yard chickens are a growing trend. People all over town have them. And now, we do too!
I’m eager to see how this all goes. We’ve already had a brush with the heartache. We started with six and now we’re down to five, but the kids love them and are getting much less Lenny-like when it comes to touching them. If all goes well, in six to ten months we’ll have eggs!
Are any of your yard chicken owners? Or do you have any other exotic pets?
Lenny-like! Bwah!
My husband, who lived on a farm for part of his childhood, won’t let us have chickens, and I would love them! He says the smell is too much for him, and that if I’d had chickens before, I’d agree.
I pout about the fact that his early experiences are depriving me of chickens. However, when my milk came in after having my firstborn and I was incredibly uncomfortable, he was all sympathetic and, “I know–that used to make the goats so unhappy, too.” So I do appreciate his farming past, sometimes.
I hope you write about your experiences with them so I can have vicarious chickens!
Amanda, that’s so funny about the smell. The first thing my sister (who has a very sensitive nose) said was, “They’ll smell. You’ll be sorry you bought them.” Honestly, I hadn’t considered the smell. If they stink, I’m sure you’re hear about it from me later.
LOL, about your husband and the goats. We had a similar experience. With my first, we both had trouble learning how to do it. And I remember one night, about three in the morning, just sitting in bed trying to get her to eat and crying because she wouldn’t. Now, my husband swears he didn’t say this, but he sat up and stroked my shoulder and said, “It’s okay, honey. Lots of animals lose their first litter because they can’t nurse them.” And strangely, it made me feel better, because as hard it was for me, at least I wasn’t more stupid than a pig.
Oh, no! You lost one already. Poor baby. We don’t have any pets right now, and I’m pretty sure the city has some ordinance against chickens. But when Baby Galen is 4 or so, we’ll probably get a kitten or two.
yeah, my poor daughter just sobbed and sobbed. It broke my heart and I really had to remind myself that this was part of what I wanted them to experience. Still, it was sad. The others are holding strong though and all seem healthy.
No chickens or animals of any kind at our house, though my daughter keeps begging me for them. I just don’t know where I would put them. We live in a pretty condensed neighborhood, but I know loads of others who have yard chickens on the outskirts of town.
I honestly think the experience would be too heart-wrenching for my daughter especially if we lost a chicken or something. She gets teared up about animals being hurt on television. I wouldn’t want to put her through that in person… not yet anyway.
yeah, I totally know what you mean about the heartwrenching-ness of it. It’s tough. My mother-in-law died this past fall. She’d been diagnosed with cancer, so it wasn’t unexpected, but it was sudden. And I think part of my desire to let my kids experience these things come from there. Not that anything would have softened the blow of loosing their grandmother, but maybe if they’d had more exposure to the circle of life, maybe it would have been less brutal.
I didn’t think about any of that until just now, so, maybe it’s a croak of bull.
Emily, at one time or another, I grew up with a rooster, a donkey, two mean geese, some chickens, and a goat who would jump on our cars (not to mention, we also had a LOT of cats and dogs!). Oh, and a couple guinea pigs. And a horse! How could I forget the horse? (grin)
So yes, I’m all about caring and loving animals. I agree that it’s a very important part of childhood, and I have to admit, I have a secret prejudice against parents who allow NO pets. I think they’re coldhearted and wimpy, LOL!!! I don’t care if you have to take a million allergy pills!!! Get your kids a dog!!! Or come on–you can’t manage a HAMSTER??? You’re denying your kids a huge pleasure of childhood, not to mention a great way to learn about self-sacrifice and the power of love.
Okay, I know I’m mean about this, but that’s how important I think it is. I know for a fact I’m allergic to our cats, but I wouldn’t give them up for anything because I know what incredible value they add to our quality of life as a family.
You know, Kieran, I’m the same way. Kids need pets! And I believe our generation of kids need pets even more than most. No matter how we fight it, our kids spend so much time plugged in to electronics and cut off from nature. Kids need that exposure to other living creatures.