Gratuitous chicken blogging: My hens are stars! edition
By Gina Spadafori
August 28, 2008
I may have mentioned before that my friend Elaine Corn, a wonderful cook and a, uh, seasoned reporter on food and food-related issues, came over to talk to me about my chickens. She also talked to my chickens, and then followed them around the yard trying to record their “what is that crazy lady doing in here?” sounds of concern.
The resulting piece aired this morning, on Sacramento’s public radio station. It’s available for listening to on their Web site, and includes a thankfully brief and utterly painful recording of me singing “Good Night Ladies” to get the hens into their covered pen at night.
Oh and that picture? Why, I’m sure you recognize Charlotte, one of my two Barred Plymouth Rocks. And in the background … Drew! The image is by our own Morgan Ong, PetConnection Director of Photography — and also a friend of Elaine’s.
I’m starstruck. :O)
Gina—this is OT, but I didn’t want it to get lost. I got a response from my rep. Kathy Watson on HB2525 (that was referenced with the kennel owners shooting their dogs in Berks County, PA) and she gave me the contact of the person who decides which bills get put on the agenda.
Where should I post that if people are interested, I don’t want to hijack the comments on this thread?
Comment by Lori — August 28, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Add it to this thread, and it will show at the top of the comments for people to catch.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 28, 2008 @ 9:44 am
I’ve seen a lot of chickens in the news lately! Urban chickens seem to be a hot topic… especially out West. I know for a fact that my old neighbors (here in Atlanta) had chickens, as I’d sometimes wake up to them on my front lawn.
Comment by Jonathan — August 28, 2008 @ 10:26 am
True for the east coast too, I think. We pass some with fluffy feathered wigs on the way to work and some that look like little quail (which I think are guinea foal and not chickens?).
Comment by Lori — August 28, 2008 @ 10:55 am
I heard the piece this morning on NPR coming into work….I thought it was great……and even more funny was the part about “livestock” being banned in Sac!!!…
Comment by TEH — August 28, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Gina: Have you blogged more specifically about urban chicken? I was wonder if (a) urban chickens really do save people money because of the cost of chicken feed and (b) appropriate space for chickens and (c) threat from avian flu. Thanks for any info.
Comment by eric durbrow — August 30, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Eric: This post offers quite a bit more information.
I think urban chickens could possibly save money if you could build the chicken area yourself (I had to have it done), especially from scrap materials. Also, if your family generates more table scraps then I do, being the only human in the house. Chicken feed is about $15 for 50 pounds, more if you buy organic feed, as I do. I go through 50 pounds a month for 11 chickens, and I get two to three dozen eggs a week. (Obviously more than I need: I give eggs away.)
Also, how do you go about comparing the cost of eggs? Sale price for factory-farmed eggs? ($1-1.50 a dozen) Or regular price for comparable eggs, free-range organic from a local producer. ($3.50-$4 a dozen)?
Avian flu risks … very low. These are healthy chickens from healthy sources, and I work to keep them that way and would not hesitate to remove (temp or permanently) a sick chicken. Personally, I feel much safer knowing I have control over this particular food source, but your mileage (and your trust in the industrial food-supply system) may vary.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 31, 2008 @ 8:02 am