urban farming
June 7, 2008
I’ve been predictably consumed by the Nesting Urge (pardon the pun…) over the last few months, brooding (heheheh) about the kind of environment we want to bring this kid into. Given my checkered history of grandiose plans, this has sparked everything from research about how we can move to Italy (down to the licensing requirements for psychologists, which, alas, are ridiculously stringent even for Italian citizens) to plans for an open-air house on a farm in Hawaii (by the time Henry got up at 6 am, I had found jobs for both of us and was looking at real-estate on-line). In light of all that, I think my latest Big Idea actually has the trappings of feasibility.
Anyway, I want to raise chickens. In the city, or wherever we live next year. Admittedly, this would be hard in our yard-free condo, and I’m fairly sure the neighbors would not be happy with a handful of hens clucking around the pool and laying eggs in the bougainvillea, but if we move back to Portland…
Seriously, though, consider the benefits: Fresh eggs with properly-hued yolks that taste like eggs are supposed to taste, fresh chicken free of hormones/antibiotics or whatever other crap Tyson is pumping into the birds these days, a great chore for Cora to grow into (OK, admittedly, half of this is fueled by the idea of a cute little girl feeding chickens in the back yard) and a realistic view of the way the food-chain works for her to grow up around. It smacks nicely of keeping house, and I think is probably relatively cost-efficient. All of ten minutes of research on-line yielded a wealth of websites and blogs about all things Chicken, and, frankly, it just doesn’t seem that hard. And I’m actually pretty good with an ax.
Predictably, Henry is skeptical. He gave me his best stern look a few minutes ago and said, “We are not raising chickens.” To which I replied, Not yet anyway. He has become more comfortable with my Big Ideas over the last couple of years, but hasn’t yet figured out that adversity only increases my resolve. I’m sure he’ll come around.
I can put you in touch with a friend who has chickens down in Homestead. We bought eggs from him for a while, but it got to be a hassle. He has (very large) goose eggs too. I wouldn’t recommend raising geese, however, I don’t know how they take to cute little girls feeding them.
That would be awesome. Considering we are in Homestead relatively often…
and you’re right about the geese. They can be territorial. We got a big kick out of watching Clancy and Nancy (the camp geese at my dad’s camp) run the camp cats off the porch every day while they ate their food.
We raised chicken’s in Eugene when I was growing up. I have many fond memories of the little baby chicks growing up to be dinner. And some not so fond memories of an egg I cracked for breakfast only to find out it had actually been one of the last ones to be “fertilized” by the rooster before we got rid of it. I couldn’t eat eggs for a long, long time after that. Anyway, chicken raising was fun, but there’s a ton of poop to contend with.
why wouldn’t you raise chickens? I think its a great idea. Ben and I talk all the time about having some farm animals ex: mini donkey, some chickens ya know the usual stuff:)
and…a dairy goat…move to maine with us, we’ll get the goat, you get the chickens, i’ll trade you milk and cheese for eggs and meat and i’ll watch your kid if you’ll watch mine…ah, big ideas indeed