Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Urban chickens

My neighborhood and peer group has embraced the local farming/gardening/slow food movement.  I think this is a good thing.  The truth is, local food tastes better.  Food that hasn't traveled across the country (thinking specifically of tomatoes) tastes better.  And it's better for local farmers and the environment (less carbon spent in transportation).

Some of my neighbors in my urban area have now branched out to chicken hutches.  Personally, I have no qualms with tomato plants, or even large backyard gardens.  We grew tomatoes in our front yard some years back.

I also have no problems with people who want to raise chickens in this urban/suburban area.  But for me, this is one thing I am NOT doing.

For me, it is exhausting to keep up with everything that I already keep up with (if I don't kvetch about this enough already!).  A job, raising kids, a marriage, keeping up with the house/yard, friends.  That's not counting community involvement or volunteer work.  I figure that for me, it's successful that my kids get fed, we get homework done and I keep a job.  And that my house looks passable every once in awhile. 

My friends keep trying to tell me that the chickens take care of themselves, that it's not a big deal.

I am highly skeptical of this claim.

I think there's this gene or affinity in some people who either:
1 - enjoy cleaning and organizing
2- are good at it and do it effortlessly.

Despite any evidence to the contrary, I am not that person.

It's just not a priority for me.  So the chickens are the same way.

I wish my friends the best of luck.  Frankly, I may even give them money for extra eggs. But when I think of the things I am grateful for (and projects I will not be taking on while my kids are under 18 or possibly ever), raising chickens in the backyard is one of them.

3 comments:

Freckle Face Girl said...

I agree, local is best. Sadly, there is only one little tiny over priced farmers market around here. The grocery store I go to is a Texas owned one that buys a lot from local farms. Mass produced doesn’t taste quite as good though.

I don’t have any type of garden. My yard is tiny and I can’t even imagine that I would be good at it. The one peach tree in my yard ended up being a HUGE bird feeder this year. Gardening seems like a gigantic commitment to me.

I am sure my HOA wouldn’t allow chickens. My grandparents and several uncles always have chickens. It is a little easier for them. They are ranchers. When I was about 14, my parents decided to buy a bunch of chicks and raise them (to be slaughtered - not for eggs). The roosters are loud. They stink and so does their food. They often peck one of the others to death. I don’t see how it could be easy. Even having one or two would be additional work. You have to feed them and they still make messes.

Best of luck to your friends!

Aerin said...

Thanks FFG. It's nice to know that my initial impression (that it's more difficult than it might seem) was probably accurate! Most of the people I know are raising chickens for the eggs...

Aerin said...

Thanks FFG. It's nice to know that my initial impression (that it's more difficult than it might seem) was probably accurate! Most of the people I know are raising chickens for the eggs...