Back in the 1970′s my husband and I were part of the back-to-the-land movement. We bought three acres, planted a huge garden, raised some cattle and, only one time, two pigs. For me, one of the most satisfying aspect of the project was the raising of chickens.
History has a way of repeating itself as evidenced in our son, Christopher, and our d-i-l, Genevieve. Last fall they purchased 0.875 of an acre that included a house (a nice fixer upper). There is plenty of land for a big garden and, my favorite, chickens.
They have started their flock. Here are the four chickens they got a couple of weeks ago. They will get a few more. Their town has a limit of six. The “ladies” you see in the picture are about six to seven weeks old. It will be a few more months before there are any eggs.
One of the interesting things Christopher and Genevieve are trying to do is to raise these chickens in a self-sustaining manner. As they develop this place the chickens will be fed from feed grown directly on the property. Christopher tells me this is a growing trend around the world. It seems to be a trend in their neighborhood as well. As they brought their chickens home we learned that three neighbors around them also have chickens.
I know it’s a small thing but it just makes me feel better about the future. I don’t know why that is. I just know I love to watch them peck away at the earth. It’s very meditative to listen to them. They make me feel peaceful and, yes, joyful.
If you’d like more information about raising chickens in this manner, you can visit their web site at Sustainable Chicken.
I have NO suggestions – but I love the idea. Perhaps when we are “joyfully retired” we can begin a self-sustaining homestead of our own
I would love to have more land for the dogs and to try to get back to a more simplified (although not necessarily easier) way of life.
I live in a small village that is still zoned agricultural — horses and chickens and roosters live on my street. I especially love the rooster. The chickens escape every once in a while, and it’s fun to watch the neighbor’s kids run through all the properties trying to catch them and bring them home. (Well, it’s a small town, we’re easily entertained!)
I’m so impressed with your son! I think we would have enjoyed that in our younger days, but we’re at the point where we want less land and less stuff to take care of.
Well I cant say I share your sentiment for chickens…Yes I still dont like them…everytime I think chickens I think of the mean rooster we had on the farm, that would trap me in the garden then chase the 4 year old me pecking at me. He was mean…Christopher asures me he dosent have a rooster…so I might still visit.
But I just really dont like those things. Yes I admit it I am scared of them…everytime I see one I am transported back to being the 4 year old being hounded by that darn rooster.
Well this seems like the right place to tell you that I have given you a zombie chicken award. You can pick it up here!
I love chickens too. They’re so bright and cheery to have around. My husband refers to them as lawn ornaments! In small numbers chickens are really easy to care for. What they give me in entertainment is more than worth the work involved, not to mention the egg benefit. :>