Friday, January 25, 2008

Are you In or out?

I am so thinking about having a covert backyard chicken operation when I get into the new house.

Are you in or out?

Think I could win the neighbors over with fresh eggs? I have only begun my research. It appears that I have a lot of reading to do.

The question is how much trouble could I land myself into? I get a fresh egg share now. Its affordable and convenient. (and legal) But, its not the same as having your own chickens.....

12 comments:

shy_smiley said...

I'm in. My friend lives in the middle of town and keeps 5 chickens (no roosters). The fresh eggs are heavenly. I'd love to keep chickens, and goats too. I see why the chickens are useful, but goats? I don't know why. I've just always wanted goats. And a pig. Maybe I should move to a farm.

Mim said...

I say go for it. Just don't get any roosters. And maybe you should put in some kind of water feature to help mask the noise.

Barb H. said...

What I want to know is...are we going to name these chickens? I'm assuming we aren't going to actually eat them, right? As long as you aren't breaking any subdivision covenants, I'd say go for it. Fresh eggs are so much better than store bought.

Anonymous said...

Ugh. We had chickens for awhile growing up and they were the dirtiest, loudest most disgusting smelling things. I hated having to clean up from them and get their eggs. They are a lot of work!

If you are serious, I would make sure you wouldn't get in trouble b/c with chickens there is no way you can hide them. They also can be a big investment and you wouldn't want to waste your $.

Mrs. Gregorton said...

My parents had three chickens in a backyard coop when I was kid and I loved it. Our city allows it but I know they did a lot of egg gifting to keep the neighbors from getting annoyed. I remember that we lost at least one to a dog and that I was present when it was "put out of it's misery." I suppose this could be considered a necessary childhood lesson and I think I was more fascinated than traumatized. Maybe check on the fine first and just calculate it into the price of your project?

frugalmom said...

shy_smiley: A farm sounds like it may be in your future! I dunno if I you could pull of a pig in a subdivision!

Mim: You need to go for it first. Then tell me how it is. I mean you can do it all out in the open and everything. You could have a pig and a goat and some chickens. Think of the possibilities.

Me: Of course we are gonna name the chickens. Hey, you may have something there. I can just say they are my pets....oh and yes, when they get too old we will have them processed...

boogiemum: I think I remember you saying that you were not in favor of having chickens. It is all coming back to me now. How dirty are we talking? I am not really into animal poo....

Mrs. Gregorton: Right, find out the fine first. Good idea. Then I will know what I am getting into if I do get in trouble. I mean its not like I can just take the chickens to the pound...but I do know a nice lady who has a great big piece of property....I could always take them there.....

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom said...

I think you *can* have chickens in the city. Call (anonymously) and ask. Though I am not sure how much I would like them as neighbors. Especially if there was a rooster.

Have you read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle?

Anonymous said...

Chickens?? I'd be surprised if you were allowed to have them in city limits. My neighbor had them for years but they had been "grandfathered" in when we were put in the city limits. He was able to keep them until they died but could not get new ones. I have to say that even with our gigantic back yards I could still hear them alot, especially on the days that we could have the windows open. There was even some odor. I did like the fresh eggs he would bring over, though. Your town may be different than ours.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you know I'm in!! :) I know you're not really into animal poo, but this is the best kind! Use it in your compost and your garden. You'll be singing it's praise, trust me!! :)

Anonymous said...

Mother Earth News has had a lot of articles recently on raising chickens.

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

Wait a minute. Don't you HAVE to have a rooster, in order to get eggs from the chickens?

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

Nevah mind. I went and researched the answer myself. I get it now.