Celebrating the Beauty, Charm and Intelligence of this
Amazing Species
Urban Farming
Sustainable Living with
Chickens
If the idea of getting a few pet chickens
hasn’t quite struck a chord with you yet, consider this:
Millions of urban households have discovered they
like the feeling of being largely dependent on themselves, by providing their own food through
gardening in whatever space they have. When space is lacking they take to gardening in containers. Many
raise from three to a dozen pet chickens . . . some even keep a miniature goat for milk. And, some
brave souls are also raising bees for honey.
Many times, since their chickens are pets, they
can remain within city zoning law guidelines and they’re able to share their bounty of delicious farm
fresh eggs with their friends and neighbors, promoting a peaceful co-existence. Sometimes this acts as
“hush money” if they have a rooster, too.
If they have the
land, they’re able to dig up a small area for vegetables, cultivate it and replenish vital soil
nutrients by adding composted chicken manure and other household waste. Their chickens rid the soil of
undesirable bugs and worms.
Like Hula-Hoops, Bell Bottoms, and
“I Love Lucy” Re-Runs
In a poor economy, proud and responsible
people prefer to contribute to their own food bank . . . and they love sharing their extra
bounty.
Urban farming isn’t such a new concept,
though. It’s arecycled idea from the past, recently popularized by the First Lady’s garden at the White House,
and Martha Stewart’s highly publicized and charming flock of chickens. The government encourages this trend
in a similar manner "Victory Gardens" were promoted in 1941.
And, this trend is increasing. Hobby Farm
Magazine recently published the premiere issue of their new magazine called 'Urban Farming'. From planting to
harvesting, through canning and freezing . . . it’s all covered in
detail, including the vital role of chickens. And just a couple of months ago they debuted the new magazine
named 'Chickens'.
When my
grandparents (and no doubt yours, too, dependingon your age) were young Grandma raised a few
chickens, planted a vegetable garden, and when possible owned a cow. She canned fruits and vegetables and
baked bread once a week. Housewives earned “butter and egg money”. They churned cream, which rises to the top
of a bucket of milk, into butter, and gathered up extra eggs from the chickens, selling them to people in
nearby towns.
Back in
the 'olden days', the women insisted upon going with their husbands to the feed store to buy grains for the
livestock, so they could select just the right printed pattern on the cotton feed sacks. The sacks, when washed,
were sewed into dresses forlittle girls, or
shirts for boys. Sometimes they dyed the cotton fabric if a certain color was
desired.
Now, people who are able to are swarming
to buy five or more acres and beginning a new life that largely mirrors that of their grandparents or great
grandparents. Many have home based businesses, thanks to internet access. With modern farm tools, appliances,
and modern animal husbandry processes, the workload is far less stressful.