| City dwelling chickens are all the rage! As more and | | | | you live longer, you could even argue that having |
| more cities are adopting chicken-friendly zoning laws, | | | | chickens will help you grow old...but not before you're |
| more and more city folks are opting to raise chickens | | | | time! |
| of their own. There are plenty of reasons to consider | | | | 7. Chickens are generally gentle, sweet |
| raising chickens in urban locations. Here are some of | | | | animals-especially if they get plenty of handling when |
| them: | | | | they're small. Our chickens come when called and will |
| | | | sit quietly with children for over an hour at a time. A |
| 1. Chickens are low-maintenance pets. You don't have | | | | friend told me of their son who would bike around |
| to take them out for daily walks and buy them toys | | | | the neighborhood with his pet chicken riding on the |
| and teach them tricks. They're content with food, | | | | handlebars. |
| water, and adequate shelter (approximately 4 square | | | | 8. Chickens don't get too big. They don't take up a |
| feet per chicken) to avoid cramped conditions. | | | | huge amount of space and they don't consume a |
| 2. Chickens are cheap pets (no pun intended). The | | | | huge amount of food. They're a perfect fit for most |
| only real major expense in having chickens is building | | | | urban backyards (and way more economical than |
| (or buying) a chicken coop. Otherwise, their food | | | | many other pets). |
| (which is less than $15 for 50 lbs) and basic care is | | | | 9. You don't have to be an expert to have chickens. |
| minimal. Even chicks are inexpensive-you can buy | | | | With a little basic information, you can learn as you |
| them for between $2-5 each. | | | | go. It's easy to get started and easy to keep going. |
| 3. You'll get lots of fresh eggs. You can generally | | | | 10. Content chickens don't make a ton of noise. Yes, |
| expect an egg a day from most chickens (although | | | | they like to talk to each other. And yes, they like to |
| this number varies depending on the breed, health | | | | squawk to congratulate each other when they lay an |
| and other conditions of your chicken). These eggs | | | | egg. But generally they shouldn't make so much noise |
| are healthier for you and look and taste better too. | | | | that they annoy you or the neighbors (unless you |
| What other pet will pay for their room and board like | | | | happen to have a rooster in the bunch-then beware!) |
| this? | | | | Before you invest in a chicken raising adventure in |
| 4. Chickens give you free fertilizer. If you own | | | | the city, check your local ordinances (and HOA's) to |
| chickens of your own, there will never be a reason | | | | make sure they're legal where you live. Most cities |
| to buy chicken manure again! You'll have a fresh | | | | have rules as to the number of chickens you can |
| supply. Add the manure to your compost bin or use | | | | have (and most won't allow roosters). There also |
| a deep litter method in your hen house and let the | | | | might be rules as to where the chicken coop needs |
| chickens compost it for you. | | | | to be located (the number of feet away from the |
| 5. You'll be raising natural bug killers. They love bugs | | | | neighbors or from the front property line, etc.) |
| and worms and other crawly things and are more | | | | Finding out the details before you get started will |
| than happy to eat them out of the yard for you. | | | | save time in the long run. |
| 6. Chickens are more entertaining than going to the | | | | If you find out that you live in an area where |
| comedy club. Chicken watching is a wonderful, free | | | | chickens are allowed, why not get a few and try out |
| pastime. I'm convinced that hanging out with chickens | | | | urban chicken farming? The benefits of raising |
| reduces stress. (At least it's worked with my | | | | chickens far outweigh the cost and hassle of having |
| family-even calming the most hyperactive children!) | | | | them. And who knows? They might even help you |
| Since laughter is good medicine and being happy helps | | | | live longer! |