Hens And Chicks
By Cindy Naas
Not sempervivum, although those plants are lovely.
I’m talking about real hens and real chicks.
Urban chicken farming is catching on all around the country. Could it be for you?
Which Came First?
The renewed interest in raising chickens begins for many people when they eat their first organic egg. The flavor of free-range eggs is noticeably different from commercially produced eggs, and many people feel the organic eggs are far healthier as well. If gathering your own fresh-laid eggs appeals to you, perhaps you’d make a good urban chicken farmer.
When The Rooster Crows
Many cities are beginning to allow chickens within city limits, but several have laws preventing roosters from being raised. It’s easy to buy presexed chickens, and it is also not a problem to find an interested farmer to take any cases of mistaken identity should you end up with a rooster. The City Chicken has a compilation of laws in various states which can be seen here.
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
Because her owner didn’t provide a safe run for her. The City Chicken has pictures of various kinds of chicken houses, from portable chicken tractors to more permanent houses which would fit into any landscape. The owner of The City Chicken kept two hens in her apartment in New York City by using the balcony as a place for them to run around.
Chickens can be raised in small spaces. Unfortunately, giving your hen free run of the back yard isn’t recommended because of predators. Neighborhood dogs, raccoons, skunks and hawks are some of the dangers of urban living, so make sure to provide a safe dry home for your chickens.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Chickens seem like an ideal addition for urban gardeners. They can eat nearly all table scraps, eliminating waste. The bedding and chicken waste is compostible or can be used to build new layered beds. They don’t take up much space and are fairly easy to keep, as far as pets go. I really like the idea of having my own eggs as well as getting a steady supply of clean manure for composting. Another benefit is that chickens kept in a movable run can keep your lawn and garden bug-free, a plus to the organic gardener.
Chickens Gone Hollywood
Currently scheduled for premier at the Victoria Film Festival, there is a new documentary about urban chicken farming called ‘Mad City Chickens’. It is about the chicken owners of Madison Wisconsin, who successfully fought city hall to be allowed to raise poultry within the city limits. More info about the Mad City Chickens can be found here.
