Happy International Respect for Chickens Day! Even if you’re not a vegetarian, please think of these cool birds today when making your meal choices.

This is a snapshot I took a few weeks ago of Garnet (front) and Henrietta, two of the hens that live with my parents. (They usually stand outside, but Garnet likes to tap at the back door and beg when I’m visiting.)

I got four baby chicks when I was in the 9th grade, and raising them changed the way I see myself as a woman in relation to animals, my food, and the world. I’m happy there are others out there as crazy about chickens as I am.