Yes, eggs there
are much more expensive, but so is everything else. I definitely could buy eggs cheaper and think most hobby keepers don’t make money on their chickens; however, the chickens themselves make up for the $ deficit because we love them, yes, even those of us who slaughter some from time to time.
I live way out so I don’t have to worry about neighbors, but I will say, aside from the cockerels I have, my girls can ‘raise the roof’ with the noise they make. I don’t think I could even begin to hide them if I wanted to. And you are correct about things smoothing out after a bit. I am only 2 1/2 years into keeping them and have already learned more efficient and less expensive ways of keeping them. But, it
is a labor of love. Nothing pays you for their upkeep, unless you have a huge operation I suppose.
I was able to make the first trip to Oahu with my DH on a business trip in 2003. Some parts were stunning (and extremely interesting), but then others parts were very depressing. I couldn’t imagine living like some I saw, knowing how expensive it was for them. And because of that expense, there would be no play for me. I guess it’s a trade off for some that live there. However, I must say that we did like it enough to then take our boys back, and a tag a long girlfriend, for my oldest son’s high school graduation trip in 2004. Luckily, I have seen Pearl Harbor twice,

and loved it; went to two luaus, the North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the pineapple plantation. I rate all of it a 10++! BTW, I loved all the farmland up around the north end of the island. I am not crazy about the windward side’s cloudiness and rain though, but I do love it’s lushness. I started to say one day my DH and I would love to visit Maui, but I’ll have to teach my son how to
properly care for my chickens while away. After all, I do care for his horses when he’s away...but that’s just expected, if you know what I mean.
It has been wonderful chatting with you and learning more about my “cuz’s.”

I wish you and your Tropical Babies all the best.