Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Trendy Chickens

A few years ago I read an article in the doctor's office about raising backyard chickens in Canada. I had been toying with the idea for a little while, but after that article I became a little obsessed. However, I resisted the urge to run to Kentvale and order a half dozen little chicks because:
1. we aren't allowed to have farm animals in town
2. I just didn't have the energy to try to change our bylaw
3. I would have to build a little chicken house and didn't have the energy or skills.
4. I want a super-cool looking chicken house - Martha style, you know??
5. I kinda lost interest in the colder winter months
But hello - SPRING is here and my obsession with chickens has been reawakened! Plus I have been taking my iron supplements for a whole two weeks and feel just about ready to tackle ANYTHING. Why, just yesterday I assembled my new Backyard Gourmet composter and filled it with alternating layers of green and brown matter just the way I've been meaning to compost for the past ten years...
So I'm back to dreaming about my little flock of egg producers and wondering whether or not to tackle a new project. Having backyard chickens is certainly trendy, if you consider the movement to self-sustainabiltiy and local food production a trend.
(It is interesting how trends change over time. When I was little, getting hand-me-downs was a little embarassing, now everyone goes thrift shopping. During the depression it was looked down on to have chickens in your yard, but now it is considered cool to have a few hens roosting in the garden).
I also think it would be a lot of fun (and a good work experience) for the kids to help with the chickens. And imagine how cute it would be to have little chicks for Easter....
So this week I'm going to see about our municipal by-laws and about buying a few cool kinds of chickens. I'll let you know!!
I just finished planting a wooden tray of wheat grass after the nudge from this site - http://www.designmom.com/2010/03/wheat-grass-2/ I have wanted to try this for years, but just never have. See what I mean about the iron pills?

7 comments:

Jane said...

for some reason this post won't put in all of the spaces that I try to put in.... sorry for the crammed article.

Katie said...

I agree! Chickens would be a delightful addition to your backyard. How does one go about changing a by-law?

Jane said...

I think a convincing letter to start the discussion, then a resolution is created, then the councillors vote.

Megan said...

If you build one, I believe the best kind is one you can pick up and move around your yard.

I think it's a great idea Jane!

Will said...

It sounds like its faster to just get the chickens and keep them until someone complains and the bylaw officer comes. Sudbury has a similar bylaw of no chickens and we have frieds with chickens. They have had them in their backyard (and neighbors backyards and down the street at the park) for over a year now with no issues.

Jane said...

Will, I am tempted to do that, but Jody's the mayor and all, it might look bad....

Jane said...

ps. Will, was that a freudian slip there - fried chicken??