Interest in chickens growing in your area?

[imthedude]

This year there seem to be a LOT more people buying chicks than years past. Both of the stores in my area that sell chicks have more than last year. I was in one of them yesterday for something else, and noticed SOLD signs on several of the batches of chicks. At the other store where I buy my feed, one of the employees said they've been selling more chickens this year than ever.

Good to hear and see IMO. Means we as Americans are wanting to get closer to our food supply.

 

[SDR]

I'm sure it has much to do with the 2010 salmonella egg outbreak/recall.

People like me that thought about raising chickens didn't need any more proof it would be a good idea, thus jumping on the spring chick sales.

 

[BWKatz]

I closed on my condo recently and everyone there had 4 chicks. We all had a laugh.

 

[Avienda]

Quote:
That and the economy have made people realize how much cheaper it is to grow your own food. Chicken coops and small gardens are popping up all over the place now!

 

[treeman]

Yes.

I have had mine for 3 weeks and have met several other people who also indulge. My friends always ask questions and some are considering the responsibilities. I believe that I am the test-case for a lot of people.

I took the plunge for a variety of reasons:

Eggs
Pet variety
Lessons for my 11 year-old son
poop for my veggie garden and landscape

 

[sadies0111]

I think it's awesome that so many people are joining the grow your own food movement. I live in WI, and larger area city is doing workshops on raising chickens. I thought that was pretty neat.

 

[SDR]

If someone is raising chickens for eggs not sure how economical it is. With the $ I have in this so far and once I add in the cost of building a coop and run, I could by eggs for several years from the grocery store.

 

[cpegram]

Quote:
That and the economy have made people realize how much cheaper it is to grow your own food. Chicken coops and small gardens are popping up all over the place now!

X2

 

[wbruder17]

Urban farming and eating/ growing food locally has been very big in Portland OR for a long time, but I have noticed that chicken keeping and now bee keeping are some major trends spreading like wildfire here. This is great, however I do have a few issues with it.

My biggest issue with it is that so many people get chickens and keep them in these tiny coops and runs (A frame tractors) which I don't necessarily agree with. I get that not everyone has space to let their chickens roam in a huge field, but they shouldn't be kept in tiny enclosures. Just because they are not in factories does not mean that living in your yard in a tiny pen is all that much better for them.

Many people don't think about the fact that it is still WORK to take care of them. I see so many people that get chicks and think it would be" cool" or" fun" and end up having to re-home them because they don't have the time. They are still live animals with a lot of maintenance.

And PLEASE don't get me started on folks buying chicks for their kids for Easter. I can't stand that crap even more.

Oi, I will get off my soap box now.

 

[Arielle]

x2 !!

Vegetables may be cheaper to grow, but not animals; the feed prices are skyrocketing and lumber was already high; salmonella is tested for at the big facilities--who tests for it in their home flocks???? Home grown does not reduce the risk of salmonella. You will get good tasting food, better appreciation for food and animal care; and yes, they are a lot of owrk. Recently moved the 7 weeks out to the shed an the temps are running well below normal--I check them a 1 am and 4 am just to be sure. . . .