by Kelli Bowen
Under the guise of 4-H showmanship, we have become rabbit people. Last week we conducted our version of a Midwest drug deal, but livestock is our drug. Meeting the breeder in a small water tower town along the interstate, we handed some cash over for two pedigreed and tattooed rabbits. The girls instantly fell in love. That is how we ended up with Hazelnut and Bunnicula. These two will be enjoying the bougiest of setups.
Before we moved, I made an agreement with my children that we'd get chickens if the place we moved to allowed it. When we came out for my interview, it was apparent that the community is pro-poultry. Fast forward to now and we are knocking on 1-year's door, and still no chickens. Believe me, Miss E has NOT let me forget it. She had her heart set on silkies, but with the passing weeks and months, her preferences gave way to desperation, and she proclaimed: "I don't even care; I just want chickens!"
A couple of months ago, I ordered a chicken coop kit, which Hubby lovingly assembled. Then we started stalking the farm stores for chicks. We found out when the chick shipment came in and then heard they sold out in a half hour. So the plotting began. We found out when the next shipment was coming in, and Hubby went and waited outside prior to the store opening, along with dozens of other people with the same idea.
As Hubby stood in line, they passed out order sheets and as they started dispersing the 500 little fluff-butts. The order sheets were revised, revised, and revised again. For an hour Hubby watched people claiming up to 100 chicks at a time while doing the math in his head, trying to determine whether or not he'd be rewarded for his patience and 70-mile drive. The gentleman in front of him in line mentioned he was supposed to be at a cattle auction that morning but was hoping to get some chicks for "the wife." Exasperated, the cattleman said he's gotta get to the auction barn and left. That is the only reason Hubby was able to get the newest members of the funny farm: Cheesecake, Poptart, Chocolate, S'mores, Grape, and Sweetpea.
Now, our German Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog mix, Denali, is also very interested in eating all of our newfound friends. So far, she has not succeeded in her task, and she has mellowed out in her trembling-murder vibes just ever-so-slightly these past few days. However, I do think that Denali and the littles will NOT be left unattended anytime soon...or ever.
The girls are over the moon. I am entertained and reminded of my childhood on the farm. Hubby is tolerating all of it while on the marketplace, looking for his next motorcycle.
Kelli makes her home in Billings County with her husband, two daughters and a dog. She works for North Dakota's #1 tourist destination by day and tries to be an alright mom, wife, friend, and writer by night.
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