Obsessed with the Magic of Chickens

I met several lovely chickens yesterday when I was in Oakland, and I am now quite smitten. They are truly engrossing creatures to observe; the animal’s social behavior is very complex, their vocalizations are both soothing and fascinating, to say nothing of the delicious fresh eggs they provide. More and more urban chickens are being raised in cities, as increasing numbers of people are growing their own food and trying to create a more locally-based, sustainable and self-sufficient food supply.

chicken looking

Chickens!I watched these beautiful birds for hours yesterday; I am now totally chicken obsessed.

Chickens!

rooster

chicken tractorThis “chicken tractor” gets moved to various parts of my friend Ida’s garden, allowing the chickens to cultivate, aerate and fertilize the soil in different areas.
bicycle whee lonionsOnion shoots and bicycle spokes intertwine in the organic garden.
Mr. Dolly\'s feetThe beautiful feet of Mr. Dolly, the last rooster to get eaten, hang suspended in the air.
About Rhonda Winter

Rhonda Winter was raised by wolves, and subsequently has a difficult time interacting with other humans.

Comments

  1. Dog Gift says:

    Chickens are great little critters but they are messy and whilst the females sound great if you have males be ready to have complaints from your neighbours about the dawn chorus!

  2. Gerard Vaughan says:

    I am planning to get set-up to keep some chickens, ducks and maybe a pair of Geese, so any info is much appreciated here. The function of the rather useable-looking bike wheels is currently lost on me, as indeed it may be on the onion patch. Bindweed would tangle around making them fast to the ground, here.
    Moveable run though – hadn’t thought of that. I make Poly. Cloches, and two covered in net would be about 2m x 4m. How many chickens is that for how long ?My guess 4 for two days ?

  3. krissy says:

    they are so awesome! as soon as i get out of an apartment, I will have chickens. They are adorable and nothing beats fresh eggs. They are very vulnerable though and need protection from raccoons and other predators even in an urban environment.

  4. Wall Border says:

    Seems like a great idea for promoting self-reliance for food but hanging their feet seems a little weird lol

Trackbacks

  1. [...] Chickens are very useful when it is time to dig up beds; not only do they eat noxious weeds, pests and withered plant matter, their pooping, foraging and pecking really improves the tilth and fertility of the soil. The farm chickens have even developed a special fondness for poison oak. They also work tirelessly, don’t complain, and are always happy to get their feet dirty. [...]

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