I can relate also. We just got our first 3 chicks this June and at first it was just for the eggs. Now it's "Their panting, what do we do?" We are outside all the time checking on them, letting them run around and feeding them treats. My father had told me that when he was a kid they raised chickens for eggs and food. He secretly gave the chickens names and said they were his friends. When his father would go get one for dinner, my dad wouldn't eat it. Right up till the day my dad passed away he never ate chicken. He did eat the eggs though. Growing up my sisters and I would poke fun at him for not eating chicken anymore and tease him for having chickens for pets/friends. If he was still alive I would apologize to him because now in these past 6 weeks of owning chickens I can honestly say that I have not eaten chicken and I don't see myself eating any for a long time if ever. My husband told me the same and now we will build a retirement coop when our girls stop laying and let them live out their lives.
