Are your engineer’s bees or chickens?

So, are your engineer’s bees or chickens?

Well, let’s talk about the differences, at least on my little farm.

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The ten chickens are kept in a coop in the yard, where I provide food, water, and protection.

I check for egg production every day, and I am concerned if it falls below normal.

Production is, for them, a biological function that isn’t much impacted by happiness.

I keep them in the coop most of the time, but let them out for a few hours each day. This makes me feel good that I’m free ranging them, which is all the rage. I herd them back in the coop at night.

They stay because I control their movement, coaxing them here and there with food and treats.

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The bees are kept in a hive, 300 feet from the house. I provide sugar-water for new hives.

I check for honey production every few months, but there’s no normal schedule.

If they are happy, they produce honey.

I check for mites every couple of months and treat for them annually.

I don’t keep them in, or let them out.

They stay because they want to – because the environment suits them.

When that changes, they leave for an environment that better suits them.

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Chickens serve at my pleasure – but bees serve no master.

I can own hives but I can never own bees.

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So, when I asked, “Are your engineer’s bees or chickens?” – I’m actually asking how you think about them.

Because I’ve found, that makes all the difference.

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Build an environment that suits them, and they’ll happily produce sweet, golden software.

Lose sight of that goal, and they’ll be gone.