I've created a chicken EMPIRE!!

[LizGled628]

So this was the first week we've had the finished coop in the yard, with the nine week old babies in it. We were a little worried about what the neighbors would think, since our houses are quite close, but since our neighborhood is zoned farmland we knew there was nothing they could about it.

I looked out the kitchen window this morning, watching our ladies free range, and noticed two young girls sitting in the yard with the chickens! I went outside and they told me that they heard someone had chickens and wanted to visit! They sat in the yard for hours playing with our babies. Then a neighbor walked over and started asking me all sorts of questions about care and coop building, because after seeing ours, she wants chickens too! Even our landlord, who was nice enough to let us keep chickens here, brings his kids over and wants to split an order of chicks with me next spring. I'm looking right now and I see four kids, our landlord, and our neighbor, all chatting with my husband with the chickens peeping around their legs.

Spread the chicken love people! It's a wonderful thing to see

 

[Xanthro]

If you hatch them, they will come!

 

[Amyh]

What a great way to rebuild community! I love it! Our neighbors either don't know about our chickens yet, or think we are absolutely INSANE!!!

 

[BackToMyRoots]

I think the same thing is happening with some of my neighbors. They were in my yard for ages and even brought houseguests! It also seems like one out of five people I talk to is thinking of getting some chickens. A few years ago, people laughed at the idea of having them when I was young and shuddered at the idea of chickens in modern suburbia. Is this going to be like the pot-bellied pig thing of the eighties, or do you think it's a more realistic trend?

 

[drumstick diva]

I wouldn't like the idea of strangers appearing in my yard and fooling around with the chickens. If they came over when you or your husband was outside and talked to you that would be fine. If it were me , I would ask IF it was alright to visit with your chicks etc. Every one doesn't know how to handle them gently, or may not close your gate etc. when coming or going. It's great that so far they all seem to love the chickens but, you never know who else may show up and not be nice. I know I'm paranoid but I was brought up to ask permission. When people are walking their dog I always ask if it's alright to pet them - by the time they answer the dog has already washed my face. Of course there were a couple times people said yes and the dog growled or worse at me, I just back off.

 

[Quailbuddy]

That makes me so happy to hear that

My neighbors just recently came to us and asked us if we would be alright if they got some chickens for pets/ organic eggs and we were so happy because we have been wanting chickens for the longest time ( and i dont have chickens yet

due to our other neighbor ) but we were thrilled that they are in love with chickens just as much as we are!

 

[LizGled628]

Quote:
At first, I was a little freaked out by the uninvited visitors, but they were just looking at the chickens (my girls eventually climbed into their laps). Our landlord does our yard work for us, and his son was mowing the lawn. I *think* the kids were his friends (they are grade school age). We showed them the right way to hold them, and how to open and close the coop, and stressed how important it is to be cautious. They were soooo cute! They were BEGGING us to let them "watch" them while we are at work and stuff. I love teaching children about the cycle of life, and how to provide for oneself

We are lucky enough to have an awesome elderly neighbor, who pretty much spends her days staring our her window. She calls us when their is a cat near the coop; she actually came outside when she saw the kids!

And I definitely don't think you are paranoid. You should see our coop...it's like Fort Knox, we love our babies and are always looking out!

 

[shesaredroan]

Good neighbors are worth their weight in gold!! No matter where you live or how far away your neighbors are.
When I lived in town and couldn't have chickens, I raised tomatoes and made friends with my neighbors as I shared my crop with them. Now I live in the country (homes farther apart) and have chickens, ...........it's so fun to go pay a visit to a neighbor and be able to bring a carton of fresh eggs.
Chicken people seem to find each other. : )
Hep Hep WHO RAY for nice neighbors!!

 

[midd2005]

we were dreading the neighbors finding out about our keeping chickens as we are brand new to the neighborhood and didn't want to start off ugly. When we told them though, their kids were super excited and they were too. we had ordered more than we want to keep because of minimum orders and it looks like these neighbors are going to take 2 off of our hands. i've loaned them Storey's book, and we have already talked about taking care of each others chickens when we go out of town.

we still haven't told the other neighbor (the one closest to them) yet but at least we have some neighborhood solidarity going.

the chicks will be moving outside in 10 days or so.

 

[3chimama]

That is such happy news. Thank you for sharing.