Advice I will remember every time I start thinking we might need to try animal husbandry.
One of the things I've been concerned about in keeping even small animals like chickens is the amount of dedicated time that has to be put in to keeping them healthy, even more time than gets put into keeping the garden healthy. I haven't yet managed to adequately stay on top of garden issues, which means I really don't want to have an animal which needs the same kind of watchful care and research. I would feel a whole lot worse losing them!
Yes animals are a lot like children. They always need you to check on them and can never do for them self's. But unlike children they will never grow up to the point to where they can take care of them self lol.
grin True. Perhaps when I have at least a few grown or partially-grown children, animal care will become more realistic and there will be more eyes and hands to assist.