For some people, chickens are just chickens, a way to get food (both eggs and meat.) For others though, chickens have made a very important connection between what we eat and how it is made. When you realize, (and I mean finally understand) that it could take a bird at least 12 DAYS to make those dozen eggs you just put into your shopping cart, well you begin to have more respect for the effort.

You start seeing chickens as being a little bit more than just chickens.

I recently wrote an upcoming magazine article on people who dress their chickens in costumes and with accessories (I’ve seen chickens in gowns and even one dressed as a “Biker chick.”) The result? – although not something I would do with my flock, I do enjoy the effort. The photos I’ve seen are charming, compelling. You can tell the chickens are well loved.

Although I haven’t dressed our chickens in costumes, over the years, I have posed our young chicks with props. I’ve used these photos on my blog for holidays, on Facebook for Birthday posts, and yes, I’ve even sent a few out as Christmas greetings. Chickens have become a part of my life and I want to share that with my friends.

Which is why when I taught my most recent local chicken workshop, I advised the participants to not only prepare for their spring chicks by having the proper food and equipment, but to also make sure their cameras are ready and that they have props around. Tiny fluffy chicks are only tiny for a few days, I told them, go into your attics and basements and pull out some decorations and then take all the photos you can.

Even if you think it’s a silly idea, do it, I tell my class, because you just might be surprised at how those little chicks may grow up into trusted friends.

And who among friends, doesn’t like to look at each other’s baby pictures?