Published on February 9th, 2010
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.
I watched these beautiful birds for hours yesterday; I am now totally chicken obsessed.
This “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.
Onion shoots and bicycle spokes intertwine in the organic garden.
The beautiful feet of Mr. Dolly, the last rooster to get eaten, hang suspended in the air.
Tags:
bird,
chicken,
chickens,
city,
eggs,
farm,
food,
fowl,
garden,
grow,
hen,
local,
meat,
organic,
poultry,
raise,
rooster,
sustainable,
urban
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!
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 ?
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.
Seems like a great idea for promoting self-reliance for food but hanging their feet seems a little weird lol