to all keepers of the flock

[Tesha]

A great story in the NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/garden/03domestic.html?hpw


Chicken Vanishes, Heartbreak Ensues

[hippywife]

1. Cool story, Tesha.

Thanx for posting it. :hug:

[Lucinda]

2. That was such a great read! Made me smile.

We have talked about venturing into the "world of chickens" if we manage to get enough $$ from the house sale to buy a little bit of land to build on again. I've never thought about having "block chickens" :)

[housewolf]

3. One of my Yahoo groups that I read has been discussing chickens lately

It seems that in many cities, residents are allowed to have laying chickens at their residence, but no roosters (crowing disturbs the neighbors :-) )

I'd never thought about it before - I thought you had to have at least a little land for chickens. Anyway, many on the list love their chickens like their pets - they name them, talk to them, consider them part of the family.

Wow, you really do learn something new everyday! I had no idea!

[Denninmi]

5. Actually, there is a whole urban chicken culture.

Some of it is even an "underground" culture, because it's illegal in many areas to keep them, due to antiquated notions and ancient bias. A lot of which, actually, has less to due with reality than it has to do with the power of organized agriculture and their lobbying powers, even way back when (from the 1900s to the 1960s). Many ordinances banning chickens were written to aid the domestic egg industry, or so I've heard/read/been told.

At any rate, a lot of people keep a couple of hens in garages, basements, etc. Personally, if that were my only option, I don't think I'd have many qualms about it -- it could be done quite easily, actually, with the proper setup and attention to cleanliness.

A further option for many, even apartment dwellers, might be Coturnix coturnix japonica -- Japanese Quail. I have about 35 of these happy little guys. They make eggs about 1/4 of the size of a hen's egg. The birds are very small, about six inches long, and can be kept in small quarters if necessary. They can and do work as indoor caged birds, as long as an odor-absorbing litter is used and they are kept clean -- pine shavings or "Yesterday's News" pelleted recycled newsprint seem to be two popular options.

[yellerpup]

4. This is why I love NYC!

Always surprising (especially the amount of love) in the way people come together! Great story, Tesha! Thanks. :hi:

[blaze]

6. Too sweet!!!

Thanks so much for posting! :)

[tigereye]

7. so much fun to read. An old friend lives in a somewhat

gentrified rural area (old farm plot) and they have lovely varieties of chickens and eggs!

[Tesha]

8. And this chicken says...

"What? He was cold!"

[hippywife]

9. Too cute!

Bill and I both laughed at that one! :rofl: