Have you notice more people wanting chickens?

[paddock36]

I've noticed lately that it seems like more people I know have decided they want chickens for eggs. I guess it's a sign of the economy. Anyone else noticed this?

 

[NoseyChickens]

Yes! I have noticed more and more interest in it. There are chickens popping up in backyards all over my tiny town.

 

[Illia]

It's been an "in" thing for a couple years now. People are finally realizing that it doesn't take much space or effort to do it, and for some very delicious and nutrient/protein packed foods.

 

[bluere11e]

My late Mother and father were born just before the stock market crash of 1929 and the great depression. You NEVER saw 2 people save EVERYTHING they laid their hands on.
They married in 1949, after WWII and it was a big thing to have a "Victory" garden and grow your own food, dehydrating and canning. Saving seeds for next season. It was important to have a few chickens for eggs and meat and a goat for milk. They lived in just outside Cleveland, OH in a town called Berea where I was born. never knew it. They moved me out the same year i was born to come to Florida. Too cold in Ohio. No more farm animals, but dad always had a garden and Green Peppers, Tomatoes and corn were our favorites.

I see people wanting to get back to being self reliant/supportive. We can't really count on our Gov't to do what's right by the people. Deep in the citizen's hearts and minds.. they know this. Chickens are a way to enjoy the company of another animal and get something of value from it other than companionship to justify the keeping of it.

I have belonged to our local Poultry club( Palm Beach County Poultry Fanciers Club) for 17 years. I have seen so many changes.. Many that include easing restrictions on chicken ownership and others REALLY putting the squeeze on violators of the rules. It would be nice if towns and cities would allow maybe 4 hens per household. I think New York City allows people to have a few chickens... I see a TON running loose in Key West and Miami.. and Lake Worth. ( a great percentage in population of the latter two cities is Latino and Haitian, so it's understandable)
One of the biggest changes is how many people come to our tent at The South Florida tent to buy chicks every year. It's a far greater demand than in the past

 

[Katy]

They're the new "in" pet.

 

[cpegram]

I got my chicks last year so we would have our own eggs...we always have a big garden and freeze and can veggies for the winter months....I grew up with a mom who lived on a farm (and hated it) but....it was the animals....she would can tomatoes, can and freeze apples every year....I would always help thank goodness so i know how to do it

but yes with this govt we have to become more self reliable....I wish i had a little more land and would get a milking cow or two....but having the eggs and selling some to people at work and the chickens give me so much joy....i am actually attempting my first hatch not in an incubator....it's ADDICTING....but i was warned LOL

 

[WIChookchick]

Here in WI I have seen a larger influx of people selling eggs and when spring comes more chicks available.
The one thing I see more often are older laying hens being sold for meat. And more goats popping up for meat.

I grew up with parents who's parents were depression era children. And from southern/texas roots that ran deep in the women of the family.
Gardens, livestock and poultry have been a part of my life, if not my mother then through her sisters.
Keeping canned goods, dry goods, canning fruit and veggies. And always in the back of my head, I know where cows are, horses, buggies and
a good place to go in case the worst happens. The fear of a nuclear war, it sits in my DH, gnawing at him just a little all the time.
Strange how we grow up, still influences our daily lives.

Carol

 

[soap&eggs]

sale of birds has tripled for me past 3 yrs.. either i got great stock..or everyone is seeing the futher...& preparing for the unknown. i have had city ""yuppies"" ask if i will grow & butcher birds for them..willing to pay higher prices then what they can get thur farmers mtk. ....locally is a farm groc store, people come cross state line approx 80 miles one way..to buy organic grocs & not pastized milk off the farm...colored eggs ..brown eggs..not white ones tho....trendy thing for some..new way of eatting for others..i do laugh a bit..its like they are the trend setters coming to buy cuz its quaint......i have seen alot of newbies at swap sales..not knowing..how to raise chickens but wanting some..these scare me..i started out telling them what is needed..now i have a print out to give them.

 

[paddock36]

I grew up on a small family farm and we had a little of everything, but it's funny the things you forget. Now I live in a neighborhood so my kids can go to better schools (whatever that is), but I've managed to get chickens a few years back after finding out a friend of mine had them in his neighborhood. Some people I know have laughed when they found out I had chickens and now some of those same people are asking me where to get them because they want them now.

Hey bluere11e, I didn't realize anyone could have chickens in West Palm Beach. I thought that area was all beaches, condos, and parking lots. The things you learn. Also, I can remember my grandparents being the same way.

 

[farmerlor]

I see more and more towns and cities enacting laws to allow back yard flocks and even the odd goat or two. This is a wonderful thing and I'm really happy to help people who come out to my place to buy my chicks so I spend a lot of time giving them advice and answering questions. The problem with any "fad" is that a lot of my chickens come back to me because people find out that it's a lot of work to care for chickens just to get that half dozen eggs a week. This is fine too providing they bring my girls back.