Fowl-weather gear: the Chicken Little edition
By Kim Campbell Thornton
September 25, 2008
They knit sweaters for dogs, don’t they? Well, why not chickens? Buffy (in Daily Mail photo below), rescued from a battery farm in Britain,
lost all her feathers because of the stressful conditions in which she was kept. Now she’s living in a deluxe coop at the Brent Knoll RSPCA rescue center until she’s restored to beak, er, peak condition. Deputy manager Emma Phillips says in a Daily Mail article that Buffy hasn’t let her bald state get her down:
When Buffy arrived, she looked like she was oven-ready, but now she’s bold enough to peck and scratch about and tries to join the other chickens sunbathing in the sunshine, wearing her little jumper [Brit-speak for sweater].
Buffy will be placed as a pet, but chicken farming will continue. There’s no reason it can’t be humane, though, and I can guarantee there’s a real difference in flavor. The last two or three chickens I bought were purchased at the farmer’s market and were free-range and organic. They tasted amazing. They also cost $12 for a three-pound chicken. We’ve decided that we’d rather pay more for not only flavor but also humane conditions. The upside for the chickens? We’ll eat them a little less often.
Gratuitous Cavalier blogging: Harper was a big hit today at the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. The first words I heard were “Can she have a treat?” They were all very disappointed when I came back later with my purse to actually buy stuff but left Harper at the hotel. I’ve promised we’ll visit again. Pet lovers will find Laurien Berenson’s latest, Bluetick Revenge by Mark Cohen (one of the books I bought), and lots of cat mysteries.
We went back to the dog park on Tuesday and discovered there are fenced trails where it was safe to let them off leash. That was a treat for all of us. And Twyla didn’t even try to attack any of the big dogs she saw (although I kept her leash attached and within easy grasp just in case). “Walk nice” practice is coming along, well, nicely–at least when they’re on their own. The three of them together are unholy terrors. Singly and as a trio, they’ve made lots of friends at the hotel–usually in the elevator–and on the street. In both places, they’re a big attraction for people who are here on business or vacation and missing their own dogs.
Our CSA offered chickens this year. They are raised humanely and free range. “Dispatched” the old fashioned way right there on the farm and brought straight to us. They are fantastic taste wise and so juicy it’s nuts! It used to be I roasted a chicken and ate the dark meat. The white meat I served up to the felines. Not anymore!! The kitchen goods store by me (owners are also part of the CSA) holds classes and will be doing one on chickens. Not just butchering and cooking, but also comparing chickens. Factory farmed, store organic, live kill (from a slaughterhouse in the ‘hood) and a CSA chicken. Should be interesting.
Buffy looks cute in her jumper :)
Comment by straybaby — September 26, 2008 @ 12:29 am
Oh, thanks, Kim. Now MY chickens are going to want fashionable attire, too.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 26, 2008 @ 8:59 am
Horizontal stripes will make them look like Cornish broilers.
I suggest a tasteful Aran pattern. The cinnamon queens would like it in deep green, please.
Comment by H. Houlahan — September 26, 2008 @ 9:54 am
If you live in California, please vote “yes” on Prop. 2, which “requires that calves raised for veal, EGG-LAYING HENS and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely”. (from the Attorney General’s summary)
The opposition, as quoted in official California voter information guide which arrived today, says that doing so is (all caps) “unnecessary, risky and extreme”, will put us at risk for avian flu and will harm consumers who will be forced, forced they say, to buy eggs from, gasp, Mexico (well, no, I”m not ok with that myself if the conditions for the hens are the same as they are in most of the good ole USA).
Oh, and the obvious clincher these days, Prop 2 “will harm the environment by contributing to global warming” (eye roll).
Comment by Susan Fox — September 26, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
No hen will want to be seen now without this newest fall fashion craze.
Maybe something in the colder climates in faux fur? I can see it already on ebay…designer hen apparel.
It definitely makes a fashion statement! :)
Comment by Marcy — September 27, 2008 @ 4:14 pm