Sage’s third birthday felt like the perfect moment to start a new adventure together. Instead of a traditional party, we decided to welcome five little chicks into our lives, kicking off what would become one of the most rewarding (and occasionally chaotic) family projects yet.
The day we picked up the chicks, Sage's eyes lit up like never before. Tiny, fuzzy, and endlessly curious, they fit perfectly in her small hands. The experience of bringing life into our home felt deeply symbolic — a living lesson in care, responsibility, and patience.
We knew that raising chicks properly meant setting them up with everything they needed from day one. To make it easier, I ordered a complete brood box kit from Amazon, which had everything bundled together: a sturdy enclosure, heaters, temperature controls, wood chip bedding, and a starter supply of food. (If you're starting your own chicken adventure, here's the kit we used: [Complete Brood Box Kit] (https://amzn.to/4jsKhWF).)
Big brother got this sign for Sage's birthday.
We chose medicated chick starter feed to give the babies a healthy foundation, especially important in those fragile early weeks. The brood box setup took an afternoon of assembly, but it was simple enough that Sage could "help" — passing me tools, spreading the wood chips, and gently placing the tiny waterer and feeder inside.
Of course, naming the chicks became its own hilarious event. After much debate (and some toddler-level negotiation), we settled on:
- **Pepper Shake** (our black and white explorer) - **Sunnyside** (a bright, curious soul) - **Frittata** and **Scramble** (the brownish mischief-makers) - **Irene** (the calm, black-feathered sweetheart)
They are so cute when they are little fluff balls.
Watching Sage name each one and take ownership of "her girls" was the first sign that this project would be about far more than fresh eggs.
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**The Bigger Lessons: Why Raising Chickens Together Matters**
Building a coop, caring for the chicks, and eventually collecting eggs aren't just chores — they're life lessons disguised as daily tasks.
**1. Responsibility:** Each morning, Sage checks on the chicks, makes sure they have fresh water and food, and adjusts the heaters if needed. It's teaching her that living things depend on her, and consistency matters.
**2. Patience:** Chicks grow slowly and the coop isn't built overnight. Sage is learning that real rewards (like fresh eggs!) take time and effort.
**3. Connection to Nature:** Watching her hold a chick and whisper to it reminds me of the deep connection kids naturally have with animals when given the chance.
**4. Confidence:** As she masters each small task, her confidence blooms. From scooping wood shavings to gathering the courage to hold the wiggly Scramble, she's growing right alongside her little flock.
This is not about saving money on eggs, lol (Eggs are still cheaper). It is a big commitment, but it is worth every moment when we can do things together.
**5. Family Bonding:** Working together on a project — gathering supplies, planning the coop, caring daily — gives us shared experiences we’ll both remember. These aren't just chores; they're memories being built one tiny step at a time.
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This is only the beginning of our chicken adventure. In the next post, I'll share how we designed and built the actual coop — a project filled with sawdust, mistakes, laughter, and a lot of learning together.
For now, we have five tiny chicks who peep happily whenever Sage enters the room, and a little girl who is quickly becoming their favorite caretaker.
Stay tuned for the next chapter in *The Sage Dad Coop Chronicles*! 🦚🥚
