I went to my in-laws' house with my wife and kids. My parents-in-law invited us to visit because they were holding a ceremony to thank God and the spirits for a good harvest and healthy livestock. In Bali, this celebration takes place on the fourth full moon, following the Balinese lunar calendar.
We spent time enjoying farm life. My father-in-law now raises chickens—about one hundred in total, along with four ducks and two dolongs (a local type of duck). He has set up an area for the chickens with a net border, so they stay within a safe boundary.
Every three days, my father-in-law collects eggs, gathering around one hundred or even more each time. This has been a big help financially, as each egg is valued at approximately 1 Hive. Imagine if you had 10,000 Hive; that would mean 10,000 eggs delivered!
My kids love being on the farm, especially around the chickens, as they have since they were little. They enjoy feeding and holding the chicks.
My father-in-law also has incubators where he hatches new chicks. After 21 days, these eggs hatch into tiny chicks. In another section, he keeps older chickens in a cage with a light above to keep them warm, especially on cool nights.
This is what the celebration is all about—giving thanks to God and the universe for blessings like eggs and a good harvest. Even though some vegetables aren't growing well this season, we still thank God for the prosperity we enjoy.
